Paris vs Bayern Champions League preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, form, coach’s thoughts | UEFA Champions League

Paris host Bayern within the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday 28 April.

Where to watch the sport on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What do you want to know?

Paris and Bayern are used to mouth-watering ties, having progressed previous Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively within the final eight, and this one may be added to the listing. With 38 targets every within the competitors this season – essentially the most of any membership – it’s onerous not to get enthusiastic about this opener within the French capital.

To attain a second consecutive ultimate, Paris should overcome the aspect who’ve given them essentially the most hassle in current seasons – Bayern’s 2-1 victory on Matchday 4 made it 5 straight wins for the German champions towards the Champions League holders.

However, Paris can level to the same scenario to final season in response. Luis Enrique’s aspect had been crushed 2-0 at Arsenal on Matchday 2 in 2024/25 however moved by way of the gears within the knockout section and overcame the Gunners 3-1 on mixture within the semi-finals.

There are doubtlessly intriguing head-to-heads all around the pitch together with Marquinhos, who will equal Roberto Carlos’ Brazilian report of 120 appearances within the Champions League, developing towards Harry Kane, who has scored in his final 5 outings within the competitors and has a career-high 12 Champions League targets this season already. Just one in all many desirable duels this tie will throw up.

Possible line-ups

Paris: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Bayern: Neuer; Stanišić, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlović; Olise, Musiala, Luis Díaz; kane

Form information

Paris

Form: WWLWWW (most up-to-date first)
Latest: Angers 0-3 Paris, 04/25, French Ligue 1

Bayern

Form: WWWWWW
Latest: Mainz 3-4 Bayern München, 04/25, German Bundesliga

Views from the camps

Luis Enrique, Paris coach: “Last season, everyone thought we could not win the Champions League because we are so young. Now everyone knows we are the champions, but we need to grow. That’s our objective.”

Ousmane Dembélé, Paris striker: “I think we are at the same level [as last season]. We have this desire to win trophies – we will try to go all the way to the end, we will play our game until the end of the competition.”

Vincent Kompany, Bayern coach: “Paris in the Champions League, the defending champions, it’s probably the toughest challenge. I don’t want to stop here. Now come the decisive weeks. We’re looking forward to them, but we also know how difficult it will be. Our belief is there, and that’s worth a lot in football.”

Joshua Kimmich, Bayern midfielder: “We’re through to the final four with two wins [against Real Madrid]. And I believe the best teams in Europe are now set to meet in the semi-final.”

Reporter’s view

Alex Clementson, match reporter
Two of the continent’s juggernauts tussling for a ticket to Budapest. Their league section assembly, wherein Bayern prevailed 2-1 on the Parc des Princes, now serves as a prelude to what guarantees to be a titanic double-header. Bayern stay in equally rampant kind, whereas Paris have addressed the problems that had beforehand blighted their marketing campaign. There are stylistic nuances that separate them, however the sides share the same philosophy predicated on perpetual motion, attacking verve and tactical nous. While Bayern have beforehand towards the Parisians, profitable every of their final 5 conferences within the competitors, Luis Enrique’s aspect are the incumbent champions. Fasten your seatbelts.