They say that if you love something, you want to relive it. PSG certainly enjoyed lifting the European Cup last season and will attempt to repeat the feat in 2026. The sensational 5-4 first-leg result allowed the visitors to take an early lead and manage the tie with and without the ball. Next up for PSG is Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal and Gyökeres. Can they achieve the double?
The Champions League atmosphere was electric at the Allianz Arena, with thousands of fans hoping for a turnaround in the tie. But it couldn’t have started worse for Bayern. Everyone knows that giving space to Kvaratskhelia is risky, and Bayern knew that. Yet theory is easier to counter than practice. The Georgian had room to run with the ball and found Dembélé unmarked in the heart of the box. The Frenchman did what he does best, firing imperiously past Neuer’s goal. A cold shower in Germany, while Luis Enrique beamed from the bench.
Three minutes and a goal from Dembélé 🍿
If you thought this moment would open Pandora’s box, as it did in the first leg, think again. The goal made PSG retreat deeper into midfield, relying on the pace of their front three. One thing that didn’t change was Michael Olise’s individual quality. Nuno Mendes picked up an early yellow card, leaving him cautious against the talented French winger. In the 28th minute, a typical cut-inside move nearly led to an equalizer for Bayern, but it fell just short. Shortly after, the Portuguese duo of Vitinha and João Neves almost made it 2-0. Vitinha’s cross was perfectly placed, and João Neves met it with a header, only for Bayern’s goalkeeper to produce a save from another world – a shot that surely belongs to a different planet.
The halftime break was a moment of calm for the Spanish coach, who had devised a strategy that Kompany struggled to counter in the second half. Bayern took more risks, as they had to with a two-goal deficit in the tie. This allowed PSG’s attacking line to exploit space behind the defense, forcing Neuer into a performance reminiscent of his prime. On the other side, Luis Díaz delivered an inspired performance but nearly equalized in the 68th minute – it remained just an attempt. Harry Kane was largely isolated from goal, but the one time he received the ball, turned, and shot, he scored.
Kane scored but it wasn’t enough ❌
It is a shame for football lovers that the goal only came in stoppage time, leaving no time for a potential tie-leveler. The final whistle confirmed PSG’s chance to retain the European title on May 30 in Budapest.
