Bayern show heart in Paris to leave semi-final wide open
Bayern show heart in Paris to leave semi-final wide open History was made in the Champions League on Tuesday night as the semi-final first leg between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern delivered everything that makes the competition so unmatched. At Parc des Princes, a battle unfolded that repeatedly blurred the line between ecstasy and disappointment. It ended in a defeat – but one that inspires courage, offers hope and sets the stage for the return match at the Allianz Arena, which already promises to be another major chapter in this unique Champions League campaign for FCB.
There was much talk beforehand about this meeting between the two highest-scoring teams in Europe’s premier club competition this season. The mutual appreciation and respect could hardly have been greater before kick-off. But what the teams then produced on the pitch must have left anyone with even the slightest interest in this beautiful game breathless for the entire 90 minutes.
After the high-quality drama in the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Bayern delivered another thriller for the history books in Paris. Vincent Kompany went through this emotional roller coaster high up in the stands of Parc des Princes as the Bayern head coach served a one-match touchline ban. “When two teams go into a match like this with this idea, then that’s exactly what can happen.
I already had a feeling that a match like that was possible,” commented Kompany after full time. The outcome was a record scoreline – never before had nine goals been scored in a Champions League semi-final game. “Overall we always had the feeling we could be dangerous.
At the same time, though, we were vulnerable to the counter, which we didn’t defend well enough in the second half. Nevertheless, we scored four goals in Paris. And we’ll show that again at home.
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