This Tuesday, April 28, Paris Saint-Germain faces Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes (kick-off at 9 p.m., CET) in the first leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League semi-final (second leg on May 6). And as before every match, here’s a look at PSG’s opponent.
Bayern Munich is one of the great historical clubs in Europe, and we’re used to seeing them play a leading role in the Champions League. A season without a title is a failure for the Bavarians, and they fulfilled their mission in the 2024-2025 season by winning the league title. It was a well-deserved victory, as they finished 13 points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen.
On the other hand, there were disappointments in the German Cup and the Champions League, with eliminations in the Round of 16 against Leverkusen (0-1) and in the quarterfinals against Inter Milan (3-4). Then came the Club World Cup quarterfinal against PSG.
But coach Vincent Kompany kept his job and his project clearly took a step forward. The Bavarians are champions, with a record number of goals scored yet to improve, in the German Cup final and, therefore, in the Champions League semifinals. All this achieved in a style that was often admirable.
Summer Transfer Window 2025 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Winter Transfer Window 2025/2026 –
Source: Transfermarkt.
Departures:
Arrivals:
Key Statistics –
This season, Bayern Munich boasts the best attack in the Bundesliga with 113 goals scored (Borussia Dortmund has 65, and Sankt Pauli has 26), and the second-best defense with 32 goals conceded (Dortmund has the best defense with 31 goals conceded, while Wolfsburg and Heidenheim have 66).
Bayern’s top scorer is Harry Kane (31 years old), who leads the league with 33 goals. Michael Olise (24-year-old attacking midfielder/winger) is the club’s top assist provider with 18 assists and is also the Bundesliga leader.
Bayern’s Last 5 Matches –
Only Bayern’s possession is shown, and their shots are listed first (when data is available).
April 11, 2026 (Bundesliga) – Sankt Pauli/Bayern: 0-5. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 71% possession. 18 shots, 8 on target, compared to 7 shots (3 on target).
April 15, 2026 (Champions League) – Bayern/Real Madrid (with 10 men): 4-3. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 67% possession. 17 shots, 8 on target, compared to 11 shots (7 on target).
April 19, 2026 (Bundesliga) – Bayern/Stuttgart: 4-2. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 63% possession. 23 shots, 9 on target, compared to 10 shots (7 on target).
April 22, 2026 (German Cup) – Leverkusen/Bayern: 0-2. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 17 shots, 10 on target, compared to 2 shots (1 on target).
April 25, 2026 (Bundesliga) – Mainz/Bayern: 3-4. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation. 53% possession. 9 shots, 6 on target, compared to 16 shots (8 on target).
Bayern’s squad:
Out – Bischof, Gnabry, Guerreiro, Karl (injury).
The predicted lineup according to the press in a 4-2-3-1 formation:
Kane
Diaz – Musiala – Olise
Pavlovic – Kimmich
Laimer – Tah – Upamecano – Stanisic
Neuer
Bayern’s playing style.
As is their tradition, Bayern Munich plays a very attacking style. The idea is clearly to stifle the opponent in their own half and score as many goals as possible, even at the risk of conceding. This might be a more measured approach against PSG.
We saw some limitations in the Champions League, particularly against Real Madrid. Paris might be wary of the potential of this Bavarian team. But neither team is likely to play with a deep defensive block. There’s a desire to dominate both in terms of play and scoreline. The match promises to be a spectacle.
