The Champions League semi-final first leg between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern developed into the most goal-rich shootout in the competition’s history. The record champions lost to the defending champion 4:5 (2:3) in a wild offensive festival in which the defenses of both teams repeatedly showed gaps.
Bayern scored through Harry Kane (17./penalty), Michael Olise (41.), Dayot Upamecano (65.) and Luis Díaz (68.) four goals, but Paris punished the numerous defensive errors with equally spectacular counterattacks. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (24./56.), world footballer Ousmane Dembélé (45.+5/penalty, 58.) and João Neves (33.) scored for the Parisians.
The lack of defensive stability ultimately proved decisive: Alphonso Davies’ handball led to Dembélé’s penalty goal, while Kvaratskhelia received far too much space for the 2:4. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, operating from the sideline, had to watch as his team, despite Musiala in the starting lineup after a nine-month injury absence, temporarily lost its way.
But the Munich mentality monsters did not give up. Upamecano headed in after a free-kick cross from Joshua Kimmich, and Díaz converted another brilliant pass from Kane with a technically brilliant goal. Bayern increased the pressure but were lucky when Senny Mayulu hit only the crossbar in the 87th minute for Paris.
In the return leg next week at the Allianz Arena, Munich need a home victory to reach the final on May 30 in Budapest.
