On Tuesday evening, FC Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain meet for the eighth time competitively, with all eight encounters coming in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Things do not look particularly positive for FCB out of the previous seven meetings, with just two wins to five defeats. However, both victories have come in Munich, where Bayern lead by a combined scoreline of 7-2. fcbayern.com has all the other interesting facts and figures ahead of the game against the Parisians.
History gives hope
Bayern need to win by a four-goal margin if they want to top the group this season. However, history shows this is not impossible as FCB did beat PSG 5-1 at the Olympiastadion on 22 October 1997 thanks to goals from Giovane Elber, Carsten Janker (both 2) and Thomas Helmer.
Fortress Allianz Arena
The record German champions are a force in front of their own fans in the group stage of the Champions League, winning each of the last 11 by a combined scoreline of 36-2. Add to that performances in the knock-out stage, and Bayern have won seven of their last 16 UCL games at the Allianz Arena by at least four goals.
FCB say "oui!"
The German champions have so far faced French opposition in European competition 32 times, winning 17 of those encounters (5 draws, 10 defeats). The record at home is even better with ten wins from 15 against sides from across Germany’s western border (2 draws, 3 defeats; 30 goals scored, 12 conceded). Bayern have in fact won their last three home games against French clubs.
Heynckes hunting record run
Jupp Heynckes boasts an impressive run in the Champions League with 28 wins from his so far 40 games in the competition. That is a win ratio of 70 per cent for the 72-year-old tactician – only Luis Enrique can top that (73%, minimum 20 matches). Heynckes is currently on a run of eight straight UCL wins, which no German coach has ever done before. Historically, only Louis van Gaal (10 games with Barcelona and FCB), Carlo Ancelotti (10, Real Madrid) and Enrique (9, Barcelona) have gone on longer winning runs.
Parisian offensive power
PSG are having an impressive European campaign this season with five wins from five, each by at least three goals – no team has ever done that before. The Parisians’ 24 goals at this stage is also a UCL record. The club from the French capital have also only conceded one goal. Superstar Neymar (6 goals) is the only player alongside Cristian Ronaldo to have scored in every Champions League match this season. The Brazilian world-record signing also likes scoring against Bayern, with four goals in three games.
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