Luis Diaz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia leave Barcelona wondering what might have been

Bayern Munich's Colombian forward Luis Diaz fights for the ball with Paris Saint-Germain's Georgian forward #07 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes in Paris on April 28, 2026. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Football was certainly the winner on Tuesday night after Champions League holders, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich played out a semi-final that even surpassed Barca’s against Inter last season for sheer craziness and entertainment value. Two teams that were willing to stand toe-to-toe in every department and to give absolutely everything in their quest to get a decent first-leg advantage.

There was seemingly no thought given to any consequences of such a high-octane way of playing, but far from apologising after the game, both Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany said there’ll be more of the same in the second leg. Hansi Flick is evidently cut from the same cloth, and when Raphinha and Lamine Yamal are in full flight, there’s no better sight in football for culers. It’s an absolute joy for all concerned when football is played with such wanton abandon, though still within the confines of team shape and discipline.

What was so good about the performances of Luis Diaz and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the night was the way in which they kept things simple, but were direct, dynamic and dangerous when they needed to be. Of course both players could have ended up at Barcelona. The Catalans were keen on Diaz last summer but were priced out of a move and saw the Colombia star leave Liverpool for Bayern Munich instead.

In the meantime, Barca brought in Marcus Rashford on a season-long loan. The Englishman has done a good job but looks to be heading away this summer, with finances still an issue at Barca. Kvaratskhelia has also been linked with Barcelona in recent years, his agent even claiming in 2024 there was interest in the winger .