"We need a complete performance"

"Allez les Rouges!" (Come on you Reds!) is what it’s all about for FC Bayern on Wednesday evening when the German champions face Paris Saint-German in the French capital in the group stage of the Champions League (kick-off 20:45CEST, live via our ticker and Web Radio). It’s the big game in Group B and Bayern are really looking forward to this one.

“If you’re not excited about this game then it’s time to quit,” said a beaming Arjen Robben. “It’s a game of prestige. We want to win and top the group,” Carlo Ancelotti stressed on the eve of the game. Both teams are level on points at the top following wins on the first matchday.

Ancelotti's return

It will be a special match for the Italian as he returns to the club he coached from January 2012 to June 2013. “I had a great time here and have great memories,” said the 58-year-old. For his return to be triumphant, he added, “We need all our quality. We need all our players.” In that case, it is a good thing that David Alaba is back in the squad following his ankle injury – as well as Tom Starke. The previously retired goalkeeper has been added to the squad in place of the injured Manuel Neuer.

“You have to attack and defend well to win here. It has to be the complete performance. You need a good balance,” Ancelotti continued. “They also have fantastic quality in their squad,” the coach added in respect of the opposition.

No clear favourite

"PSG are a top team, no doubt, and that makes this game unbelievably attractive to watch," Mats Hummels said in agreement. “Playing away in Paris is definitely one of the five hardest games in Europe and probably the world right now,” according to the centre-back, who was not just referring to the Parisians’ attacking trio of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani.

“I think it could go either way,” Corentin Tolisso added. There therefore appears to be no favourite, and the fans can expect a great evening of Champions League football.