Two weeks after securing their place in the final four with a 2-0 win at Anfield, Paris Saint-Germain returned to Champions League action for the first leg of the semi-finals. But it wasn’t another English opponent for Les Rouge et Bleu this time, but one of the tournament’s big favourites: FC Bayern, who finished second in the group stage and have won all their knockout matches in the competition this season. It promised to be a massive challenge for Les Parisiens, but nothing is impossible in Paris, especially when they can count on the noise and colour of the Parc des Princes.
Right from kick-off, the intensity of both sides’ play was incredible. And after fiercely contested first 15 minutes, it was the Bavarians who opened the scoring from the penalty spot through Harry Kane (0-1, 17'). The visitors went close to doubling their lead, but Matvey Safonov, ably assisted by the return of João Neves, won his duel with Michael Olise (20'). Les Rouge et Bleu responded immediately, and Ousmane Dembélé found himself one-on-one with Manuel Neuer but failed to hit the target (23'). But the home side didn’t have to wait long for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to cut inside onto his right foot and slot home an unstoppable shot just inside the far post (1-1, 24')!
The tone was set and it was clear that this was going to be a night to remember. Michael Olise (27’) and Désiré Doué (28’) next showed their brilliance in the opposition penalty area, before Les Parisiens took control of the game. João Neves perfectly met Ousmane Dembélé’s corner to powerfully head the ball across the goal and beyond FCB ‘keeper Manuel Neuer (2-1, 33')! Bayern dug deep and hit back eight minutes later when Olise drew the two sides level again (2-2, 41').
It looked as though the two sides would be heading to the break all square, before – deep in first-half stoppage time - Ousmane Dembélé won and converted a penalty (3-2, 45+5'). Boosted by that third goal, Luis Enrique’s men looked the more dangerous after the restart, epitomised by the unstoppable Kvaratskhelia. The Paris No.7 found himself on the end of an Achraf Hakimi cross, after a clever Dembélé step over as Paris extended their lead (4-2, 56')!
The Parc des Princes was in a state of rapture and the noise rose even higher just minutes later when Dembélé, completed his brace with a clinical right-footed strike that struck Neuer’s near post before going in (5-2, 58'). But it takes two teams to produce an match of such epic proportions and the Bundesliga champions hadn’t had their final say. Dayot Upamecano gave his side hope with a header from a set-piece (5-3, 65'), before Luis Díaz made his mark (5-4, 68'). The final 20 minutes of the match was a thrilling, nerve-wracking affair as the two sides traded blow for blow.
Les Parisiens had to withstand the late onslaught of a German side that never gave up. But it was the reigning European champions that created the best chance of the closing stages, with substitute Senny Mayulu hitting the post with a powerful left-footed shot from a tight angle (87'). At the end of a truly memorable match off football, Paris Saint-Germain claimed victory in the first leg of a tie that exceeded all expectations.
Next up is the home fixture against Lorient this Saturday in Ligue 1 (17:15 CET), before the crucial semi-final second leg next Wednesday at the Allianz Arena in Munich.
Allez Paris!
