Team News and Lineups
Good news for Paris Saint-Germain as Vitinha returns to the starting lineup after missing two domestic matches due to a right heel issue. The holders field the same starting XI that secured a 2-0 victory against Liverpool at Anfield two weeks ago. Warren Zaïre-Emery is preferred over Fabián Ruiz in midfield, with Ruiz having only recently recovered from injury.
Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany will observe the match from the stands, serving a one-match suspension after accumulating three yellow cards in this season's Champions League. The latest caution was received during the intense quarter-final win over Real Madrid in Munich, following a dispute over a challenge on Josip Stanišić that did not result in a free kick but preceded a Real Madrid goal. Alphonso Davies replaces Konrad Laimer, marking the sole change from Bayern's previous lineup. Harry Kane, aiming for his 54th goal of the season, leads the attack.
Paris Saint-Germain Starting XI: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves, Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Substitutes: Chevalier, Marin, Beraldo, Zabarnyi, Ruiz, Ramos, Lee, Hernández, Mayulu, Fernández, Barcola, Mbaye.
Bayern Munich Starting XI: Neuer, Stanišić, Upamecano, Tah, Davies, Kimmich, Pavolvic, Olise, Musiala, Díaz, Kane.
Substitutes: Ulreich, Urbig, Kim, Goretzka, Jackson, Ito, Laimer, Ofli, Pavic.
Referee: Sandro Schärer (Switzerland).
Match Context and Historical Encounters
♫ ♪ ♬ “Memorieeeeees light the corners of my mind …” ♪ 🎵 🎶 Reflecting on previous encounters, the teams met during the group stage in November, providing a glimpse of their competitive dynamic.
Additionally, a reminder of the 2020 Champions League final, where Bayern Munich emerged victorious, underscores the rivalry's intensity.
In the interest of balance, it is noted that PSG have avoided defeat only once in their last eight meetings with Bayern, a remarkable and swift victory that stands out.
The Champions League has gradually built to this moment — a summit clash between the competition’s two finest teams. On paper, predicting the outcome of a tie between the extraordinarily talented defending champions and a Bayern side that has won 11 of their 12 matches this season is challenging.
However, Bayern have dominated recent encounters, winning five consecutive matches against PSG, seven of the last eight, including the 2020 final. This history adds complexity to forecasting the result.
The match kicks off at 8pm BST. C’est parti!
