News

Bayern host Paris in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday 7 April at 21:00 CET.

What's the story?

A repeat of last season's final, narrowly won by Bayern. The German side have not quite reached the heights of 2019/20 yet (it is a very high bar) and while Robert Lewandowski has again been unstoppable, a knee injury picked up with Poland means he will miss both legs of the tie just as Paris, who spectacularly dispatched Barcelona in the last 16 thanks to Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick, prepare to welcome back Neymar.

Form guide

FC Bayern München
Form: WWWWWW
Latest: Leipzig 0-1 Bayern, 03/04
Where they stand: 1st in Bundesliga

Paris Saint-Germain
Form: LWWLDW
Latest: Paris 0-1 LOSC Lille, 03/04
Where they stand: 2nd in Ligue 1

Possible line-ups

Bayern: Neuer; Pavard, Süle, Alaba, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sané, Müller, Coman; Choupo-Moting

Paris: Navas; Kehrer, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Diallo; Gueye, Danilo; Kean, Di María, Neymar; Mbappé

Expert predictions

Jordan Maciel, Bayern reporter: The absence of Lewandowski is a blow to Bayern's chances in this clash between last season's finalists, but there is still an abundance of quality in this team. With away goals in play, Hans-Dieter Flick will be looking for a sturdy defensive performance to nullify the opposition's attacking threat and put the holders in a strong position ahead of next week's trip to Paris.

Chris Burke, Paris reporter: As much as they might want revenge for last season's final, Paris need to address their problems first. Their superb victory at Barcelona felt like a distant memory during Saturday's defeat by LOSC, and the absence of Marco Verratti is a significant blow. Still, with Lewandowski missing for Bayern, the French side will fancy their chances – if they can quickly return to their best.

View from the camps

Hansi Flick, Bayern coach: "It's a new match and Paris have a new team with a new coach. But on the whole not too much has changed since the final last year. Paris have a strong defence and obviously their quality up front is outstanding. We need to be able to cut off their passing. That also means putting the person with the ball under pressure as soon as possible. Manuel [Neuer] was outstanding in last year's final. Will that be in the heads of the Paris attackers? I don't know. But it is an advantage for our team to have a world-class keeper in goal."

Mauricio Pochettino, Paris coach: “In the knockout stages you can never rule a team out. We're playing the champions of Europe and of the world. We respect them, but we have faith in our ability and we've come here to win. Bayern are a very well-organised team, playing with a high defensive line and with attacking players able to win a game individually. We will have to find the right balance, not overcommit and be careful not to lose the ball in dangerous areas.”

Marquinhos, Paris captain: “We don't see this as a revenge match [for last season’s final]. The context is different, we have a different coach. Quite a few players have left since too. If some of those that were there last season want to use this as an extra source of motivation, it will be welcome.”

Source: UEFA 

Photo credit: FC Bayern München