Bayern Munich are on cloud nine. After a new cycle began last season under Vincent Kompany, this new season seems to be one of confirmation for the German team. With 15 wins in as many games played this season, Bayern have broken a record that had stood for more than 30 years among Europe's top five leagues. The Bavarian club, who have easily beaten Chelsea (3-1), Pafos (1-5) and Bruges (4-0) so far, is more than ever one of the favourites to win the Champions League title.
For their part, although Paris Saint-Germain are going through a less spectacular period, they still showed character to win 1-0 against Nice last Saturday. And on the European stage, Les Rouge et Bleu have been outstanding since the start of the season, with resounding victories against Atalanta (4-0), Barcelona (1-2) and Bayer Leverkusen (2-7). At the top of the league table, the capital club is tied with... Bayern Munich, of course.
5 – Achraf Hakimi has been involved in a goal in each of his last five Champions League appearances (two goals, three assists), the joint-longest run for a defender in the competition (Marcelo with Real Madrid in 2018 and Ian Harte with Leeds in 2001).
6 – Paris Saint-Germain have won their last six Champions League matches, equalling their best run in the competition (six wins between 1994 and 1995).
8 – Bayern Munich are the team that have beaten Paris most often in the Champions League, with eight wins in 14 matches (six defeats). The German club have won their last four matches against Paris in the competition.
Vincent Kompany and his team are expected to start against Paris with a 4-2-3-1 formation. In goal, the evergreen Manuel Neuer (39) is set to play his 154th Champions League match at the Parc des Princes. The Bavarian captain will be able to rely on a central defensive pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah, who are often preferred to South Korean international Min-jae Kim. Konrad Laimer has established himself as the undisputed starter at right-back, and the return of Josip Stanisic is unlikely to change that.
On the opposite side of defence, the Belgian coach still has to cope without the injured Alphonso Davies. In his absence, the versatile Raphaël Guerreiro is likely to be selected. In midfield, Joshua Kimmich calls the shots: the German international is one of the key players in Munich's starting eleven, and he is likely to be supported by his compatriot Aleksandar Pavlovic alongside him. A product of the club's youth academy, Pavlovic could be preferred to the experienced Leon Goretzka, who seems to have lost his place.
In the playmaker position, the German coaching staff will once again have to do without their prodigy Jamal Musiala. This is an opportunity for Michael Olise, who is equally comfortable in the centre and on the right wing, to start in the heart of the action. In great form, the French international will likely be preferred to the promising Lennart Karl (17) and new signing Tom Bischof. And if the former Crystal Palace player is confirmed as the Bavarian midfield's attacking midfielder, it would be a gift for Serge Gnabry, who is back playing and already scored last weekend.
The German international would then be the favourite to start on the right wing, while Luis Díaz is expected to start on the left wing. Having arrived this summer from Liverpool, the Colombian international has quickly settled into the Bavarian style of play. Finally, at the forefront of the attack, the indispensable Harry Kane will of course be in the starting line-up. Although capable of playing in a second striker role behind Nicolas Jackson, the prolific English goalscorer is tipped to lead the attack this time around, which would see the Senegalese international start on the bench.
