Bayern show heart in Paris to leave semi-final wide open

History was made in the Champions League on Tuesday night as the semi-final first leg between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern delivered everything that makes the competition so unmatched. At Parc des Princes, a battle unfolded that repeatedly blurred the line between ecstasy and disappointment. It ended in a defeat – but one that inspires courage, offers hope and sets the stage for the return match at the Allianz Arena, which already promises to be another major chapter in this unique Champions League campaign for FCB.

There was much talk beforehand about this meeting between the two highest-scoring teams in Europe’s premier club competition this season. The mutual appreciation and respect could hardly have been greater before kick-off. But what the teams then produced on the pitch must have left anyone with even the slightest interest in this beautiful game breathless for the entire 90 minutes. After the high-quality drama in the quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid, Bayern delivered another thriller for the history books in Paris.

Vincent Kompany went through this emotional roller coaster high up in the stands of Parc des Princes as the Bayern head coach served a one-match touchline ban. “When two teams go into a match like this with this idea, then that’s exactly what can happen. I already had a feeling that a match like that was possible,” commented Kompany after full time. The outcome was a record scoreline – never before had nine goals been scored in a Champions League semi-final game. “Overall we always had the feeling we could be dangerous. At the same time, though, we were vulnerable to the counter, which we didn’t defend well enough in the second half. Nevertheless, we scored four goals in Paris. And we’ll show that again at home. We have a week now to work on the things we need to improve,” summarised the Belgian.

Madness before the break

Spurred on by an electric atmosphere, the two sides produced a high-octane affair from the start. With around a quarter of an hour gone, Harry Kane’s penalty gave the Reds an early lead, which Michael Olise had a glorious chance to double shortly after. By the time Ousmane Dembélé squandered a big opportunity in the 23rd minute, it had become an open, almost absurd end-to-end contest. PSG turned the scoreline around through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (24’) and João Neves (33’). After Olise restored parity (41’), Dembélé converted a disputable penalty in stoppage time to leave Bayern 3-2 down at half-time.

Anyone who thought the two teams would take it a bit easier in the second period after this crazy first half was wrong. Paris were ruthless to begin with after the break – Kvaratskhelia (56’) and Dembélé (58’) capitalised on two counters in the space of two minutes to make it 5-2 to the hosts. Parc des Princes was rocking.

However, you can never write off this Bayern side – not even when they’re losing 5-2 away to the Champions League holders and everything appears to be going against them in that moment. “We've handled setbacks well because we don't let things like that stop us, we just keep going,” summarised Jonathan Tah. The centre-back and his colleagues dusted themselves down and demonstrated what’s made this team so special this season. With incredible mentality, the Munich men fought their way back into the game and even managed to silence the previously frenetic home fans at times. A quickfire double from Dayot Upamecano (65’) and Luis Díaz (68’) ensured a more promising outlook for the return leg on home soil.

Clear task for second leg

“It feels strange after the match because we lost – by one goal. We were three goals down at one point, came back and had the feeling we actually should’ve equalised,” said midfielder Joshua Kimmich, trying to put his feelings into words on an incredible evening. “It was a very, very intense match. Despite the defeat, I think we showed in a lot of phases what kind of team we are. You saw that we can score a lot of goals. Of course, we conceded too many tonight,” added Tah. And so Bayern head back to Munich with mixed feelings after a historic night, but Kompany is already looking ahead: “The second leg is at home and we have to win. We do that often there and with the support of our fans, the belief is certainly there.”

“In the end it’s only a one-goal margin. We’ll go into the return leg with full confidence, give it everything and then want to be in the final,” concluded Tah. “It will come down to who takes their chances next week,” said Kane. “There were a lot of moments out there today, and it's probably going to be the same next week. Us being at home with the crowd behind us, we hope that can push us over the line.” The fans made it clear immediately after the incredible 90 minutes in Paris that they will give their team a very special energy next Wednesday, as they’ve done so often in the past on big Champions League nights. “Come on Bayern, fight and win!” echoed around Parc des Princes after the final whistle.

All the reaction to the meeting at PSG: