Paris vs Bayern Champions League preview: Where to watch, predicted line-ups, form, coach's thoughts

Paris host Bayern in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday 28 April.

Where to watch the game on TV

Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.

What you need to know?

Paris and Bayern are used to mouth-watering ties, having progressed past Liverpool and Real Madrid respectively in the last eight, and this one can be added to the list. With 38 goals each in the competition this season – the most of any clubs – it is hard not to get excited about this opener in the French capital.

To reach a second consecutive final, Paris must overcome the side who have given them the most trouble in recent seasons – Bayern's 2-1 victory on Matchday 4 made it five straight wins for the German champions against the Champions League holders.

However, Paris can point to a similar situation to last season in response. Luis Enrique's side were beaten 2-0 at Arsenal on Matchday 2 in 2024/25 but moved through the gears in the knockout phase and overcame the Gunners 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

There are potentially intriguing head-to-heads all over the pitch including Marquinhos, who will equal Roberto Carlos' Brazilian record of 120 appearances in the Champions League, coming up against Harry Kane, who has scored in his last five outings in the competition and has a career-high 12 Champions League goals this season already. Just one of many fascinating duels this tie will throw up.

Possible line-ups

Paris: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, João Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Bayern: Neuer; Stanišić, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlović; Olise, Musiala, Luis Díaz; Kane

Form guide

Paris

Form: WWLWWW (most recent first)
Latest: Angers 0-3 Paris, 25/04, French Ligue 1

Bayern

Form: WWWWWW
Latest: Mainz 3-4 Bayern München, 25/04, German Bundesliga

Views from the camps

Luis Enrique, Paris coach: "Every coach wants to approach the run-in in the best possible conditions. Right now, we are in the semi-finals and all the players are available, apart from Quentin Ndjantou. The magic of the Champions League gives special energy to the players. Everyone wants to be there and makes the most of it."

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris winger: "I remember that match [the league phase defeat], we didn't play as well as them, but there were also injuries. In the second half, we showed that we were capable of anything and of beating them, but we didn't score the goals we needed."

Vincent Kompany, Bayern coach: "We've already won at the Bernabéu this year [against Real Madrid] and won in Paris. Paris are obviously still the Champions League holders, but if any team can take on this challenge, it's us. We know how good Paris are, but we want this game."

Dayot Upamecano, Bayern defender: "It's a big match for us. We're totally focused on our own game. We obviously want to win here. PSG have great players and a super squad, but we're totally focused on our game and want to win."

Reporter's view

Alex Clementson, match reporter
Two of the continent's juggernauts tussling for a ticket to Budapest. Their league phase meeting, in which Bayern prevailed 2-1 at the Parc des Princes, now serves as a prelude to what promises to be a titanic double-header. Bayern remain in equally rampant form, while Paris have addressed the issues that had previously blighted their campaign.

There are stylistic nuances that separate them, but the sides share a similar philosophy predicated on perpetual movement, attacking verve and tactical nous. While Bayern have previous against the Parisians, winning each of their last five meetings in the competition, Luis Enrique’s side are the incumbent champions. Fasten your seatbelts.