Paris Saint-Germain defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 this Tuesday at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League semi-final (second leg on Wednesday, May 6). Following this victory, former PSG full-back Jimmy Algérino spoke to Le Parisien.
Algérino: “I think PSG got a little carried away by the occasion.”
“How do you explain the end of the match after it went to 5-2?
I think PSG got a little carried away by the occasion. With a three-goal lead, the team could have calmed the game down, played deeper. It shows that at this level, even great champions can get carried away. And that’s a good thing! It shows they’re human.
How do you feel about the second leg?
I don’t think Paris is capable of sitting back and defending. However, in terms of the squad, they need to be better organized, especially in midfield.
Algérino: “PSG is formidable away from home.”
Is Luis Enrique the ideal coach for this second leg?
Absolutely. We know his ability to find the necessary adjustments and corrections. I have complete faith in him, especially since PSG is formidable away from home. That’s often where they secure their qualification.” Before the return leg, the balance tips slightly in Paris’s favor.
The 5-4 victory gives PSG an advantage, but it doesn’t solve everything. In Jimmy Algérino’s analysis, the key point isn’t to overreact to the end of the match, but to remember that Paris relinquished some of its control after leading 5-2. At this level, enthusiasm can quickly become a trap, especially against a Bayern Munich side capable of punishing any lapse in concentration. This is where Luis Enrique’s presence becomes crucial. Algérino emphasizes the Spanish coach’s ability to correct, adjust, and prepare his team for a different context.
PSG isn’t meant to be passive in the return leg, but it will need to be more composed during its weaker periods, particularly in midfield, to avoid turning a valuable lead into a nail-biting match. It’s important not to analyze everything from a purely Parisian perspective. What’s true for one side is true for the other.
Paris can turn the game around; it has already shown that. So be careful not to listen too much to those who talk about the match. The players know what they have to do; the best team will win.
