Bayern to face PSG in semi-finals

Here’s the lowdown on PSG and what makes them such a threat. Since Qatar's sovereign wealth fund bought PSG in 2011 and their subsequent rise to the top of world football, all of their encounters with Bayern have been played at the very highest level. In September 2017, the Bavarians suffered a 3-0 defeat at the Parc des Princes, but FCB later won three consecutive games against Paris sides featuring Neymar, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi from the Champions League quarter-finals second leg in April 2021 to March 2023.

The PSG management then changed course and focused less on big stars and more on a close-knit squad, which nevertheless impressed with its individual class. This development culminated in the 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the 2025 Champions League final at the Allianz Arena - the highest winning margin in a final in the competition’s history. However, on the way to finally being crowned European champions for the first time, Luis Enrique's team were also beaten 1-0 by Bayern at the Allianz Arena in the league phase.

“I think we're very similar to Bayern Munich. Both teams want the ball, both press aggressively. The stats say we're very similar,” said the PSG coach for that November 2024 encounter.

The two European heavyweights also met in last summer’s Club World Cup as the Parisians ended a run of four straight defeats at the hands of Bayern to advance to the semi-finals with a 2-0 win . It was a result that perhaps didn’t reflect the course of the game, as Vincent Kompany’s men had their opportunities to eliminate the Champions League holders. They got revenge of sorts in this season’s league phase, producing one of their best performances of 2025/26 to earn a 2-1 triumph in Paris.