PSG vs Bayern Munich: Tuesday’s Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich at Parc des Princes will face the nations’ respective champions from France and Germany against one another.
PSG hopes that 2023 will be the year they finally win the Champions League, while Bayern Munich hopes to be named European champions for the eighth time.
Christophe Galtier’s team travelled to the principality to play Monaco on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways after being eliminated from the Coupe de France by Marseille. However, PSG returned to the capital empty-handed after a humiliating 3-1 loss with all four goals coming in the first half.
The Parisians still lead the Ligue 1 standings by a healthy five points, but dropping two straight games is not the best way to get ready for a matchup with Bayern Munich, the team they fell to in the 2020–21 Champions League final.
PSG had anticipated facing a little less difficult opponent in the round of 16, but despite being tied with Benfica on 14 points, they were forced to settle for second place in the group after falling short of the Portuguese powerhouses on away goals scored.
The French champions will need to make the most of their home advantage if they wish to avoid a second straight last-16 elimination (they were defeated by eventual winners Real Madrid at this stage last season). Given that they have won 12 and drawn three of their 15 home games this season, they will undoubtedly be optimistic that they can carry a lead to Germany.
The hosts have also won six of their previous Champions League home games at the Parc des Princes, defeating Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Juventus during that time, while they have only lost one of their five home meetings against Bayern in the competition, losing 1-0 when the two sides last played in April 2021.
When Bayern returned from the winter break with 3 consecutive 1-1 draws, it amounts to a sort of mini-crisis by their lofty standards, but Bavaria has since returned to normal.
Thomas Muller, Kingsley Coman, and Serge Gnabry scored in an easy 3-0 victory over Bochum at the weekend to help Julian Nagelsmann’s free-scoring team prepare for their midweek Champions League match. Mainz and Wolfsburg were defeated in the DFB-Pokal and Bundesliga, respectively, as they amassed four goals in their back-to-back triumphs.
Form Guide
Paris Saint Germain
Champions League Form: W,W,D,D,W,W
All Competitions: W,D,W,W,L,L
Bayern Munich
Champions League Form: W,W,W,W,W,W
All Competitions: D,D,D,W,W,W
Team News
Due to a hamstring injury, Lionel Messi was unable to play against Monaco, but according to Galtier, the World Cup winner will be ready to face Bayern on Tuesday. Marco Verratti, who is also expected to make his return from injury, may also play.
After missing the previous three games due to a thigh injury, Kylian Mbappe participated in a training session on Sunday, but it is still unclear whether he will be ready to play in the first leg.
PSG will be hopeful that Fabian Ruiz can recuperate from a stomach virus to take his spot in the starting lineup while Renato Sanches and Nordi Mukiele are both out due to injury. Ruiz missed the Monaco loss due to the virus.
Galtier benched Achraf Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, and Sergio Ramos for Saturday’s contest in favour of Tuesday’s Champions League match, although the group is anticipated to line up alongside Marquinhos against Bayern.
For the visitors, Yann Sommer was acquired from Borussia Monchengladbach in January to take the place of Manuel Neuer, who will miss the remainder of the season due to injury. The Swiss international will look to make a good impression on his first Champions League outing for Bayern.
Sadio Mane, Lucas Hernandez, Ryan Gravenberch, Noussair Mazraoui, and others are still out injured, but Joshua Kimmich will join Leon Goretzka in the middle of the field after serving a suspension.
Paris Saint Germain vs Bayern Munich Probable Playing XI
Paris Saint Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos; Mendes; Pereira; Ruiz, Vitinha, Verratti; Neymar, Lionel Messi.
Bayern Munich: Sommer; Cancelo, De Ligt, Upamecano, Davies; Goretzka, Kimmich; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Choupo-Moting.
PSG vs Bayern Munich Match Prediction
The battle between the two European nations might be a thrilling contest. We expect the 1st leg of the round of 16 match between PSG and Bayern Munich to end in a tie. Score line prediction (2-2).
