PSG vs Bayern Munich Match Preview: Parc Des Princes Hosts the Recent Rivalry Between the Two Giants

Adam

Content Writer

Quick match details first, then form, lineups, and a prediction.

In recent years, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich have created quite a rivalry after a series of continuous games, playing each other several times since the UEFA Champions League final in 2020, which saw Munich win 1–0 against the Parisians.

Within that time, Bayern Munich have won five out of the seven, with PSG only winning twice, yet the most recent result came in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup, where Paris won 2–0 thanks to goals from Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé.

Recent Form

Luis Enrique’s side enters this fixture at the top of the UCL table, having won all three of their opening games, including a 4–0 thrashing against Atalanta, a 2–1 victory over Barcelona at the Camp Nou, and a brutal display versus Bayer Leverkusen, which ended 7–2 to the Red and Blues.

Domestically, for PSG, Enrique’s side is in first place of Ligue 1, collecting 24 points (W7, 53, L1) ahead of Marseille by only two points. Despite sitting at the top of the table, PSG have not scored the most goals in the French league, with Marseille, Lille, Monaco, and Strasbourg outscoring the Parisians so far.

But, the defence and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier have obtained 6 clean sheets, which is the most in Ligue 1 this season, also with the least amount of goals conceded with 9.

On Saturday, PSG beat OGC Nice 1–0, all thanks to a late-minute winner from Gonçalo Ramos. Despite the score only being 1–0, PSG absolutely dominated with possession of 77%, 28 attempts at goal, and an XG of 2.29, proving that PSG must look to take their chances.

Bayern Munich enter this fixture in the most dominant form a team could possibly be in, winning every single match this season with their last defeat being the 2–0 loss to PSG in July at the FIFA Club World Cup, so Kompany’s side will want revenge.

In the UCL, Munich have also won all three of its games, beating Chelsea 3–1, thrashing Cypriot side Pafos FC 5–1, and dominating Belgian side Club Brugge in a 4–0 victory.

Whilst they are also on nine points, joint with PSG at the top, Enrique’s side is ahead due to the number of goals the Parisians have scored.

Domestically, Kompany’s side has impressed massively, winning all nine games, even seeing off fellow competition, beating RB Leipzig on the opening day 6–0, dominating Borussia Dortmund in triumphant Der Klassiker, and on Saturday, Munich won 3–0 to put an end to Kasper Hjulmand’s unbeaten run with Bayer Leverkusen.

In the Bundesliga, Munich has scored 33 goals, with striker Harry Kane sitting at the top of the goal-scoring charts with 12 goals. What is even more impressive is that Munich have only conceded four goals!

Potential Lineups

PSG: Chevalier, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Vitinha, Zaïre-Emery, João Neves, Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Barcola

Bayern Munich: Neuer, Laimer, Tah, Kim, Stanišić, Kimmich, Pavlović, Olise, Kane, Díaz, Jackson

Luis Enrique could make two changes following their most recent lineup against Nice on the weekend.

Ukrainian centre-back Ilya Zabarnyi will be dropped due to suspension as he picked up a red card in PSG’s most recent UCL fixture against Bayer Leverkusen. Making way for Zabarnyi’s departure is most likely the experienced Marquinhos, who has only featured four times in Ligue 1 and once in the UCL this season.

With Zabarnyi, Senny Mayulu could potentially be dropped from the side that won 1–0 on Saturday. The French youngster has been playing a versatile role for Enrique this season, featuring in his conventional central midfield position and even up top in attack.

Seeing Mayulu get dropped opens the spot in front of the goal for Ousmane Dembélé, who has been slowly finding fitness since a hamstring injury the Ballon d’Or winner obtained on international duty in September.

This is a huge game for PSG tonight, and with Dembélé only playing for 23 minutes against Nice, surely the said best player in the world has been given enough rest to return back to full fitness.

Désiré Doué, who scored in the most recent tie between the two clubs, remains sidelined with an injury to his right thigh that the talented star picked up in a 1–1 draw to Lorient.

Despite dominating Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, Kompany could make five changes tonight, seeing Raphaël Guerreiro, Leon Goretzka, Lennart Karl, Tom Bischof, and Serge Gnabry dropped and replaced.

In left-back, Josip Stansic should replace Guerreiro to offer a stronger defensive option to hold off the dangerous Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Starters from Munich’s 4–1 win over 1. FC Köln of Harry Kane, Michael Olise, Luis Díaz, and Aleksandar Pavlović could potentially be brought in to replace others in order to pose a greater threat and add balance to the team, which will be key for tonight.

Staying in the team is predicted to be Nicolas Jackson, who scored against Bayer Leverkusen and could play in the “number 9” position in front of Kane, who will be playing behind the Senegalese forward, which wouldn’t be the first time this has happened this season.

Prediction

Paris Saint-Germain 2–3 Bayern Munich

The Parc des Princes can pose as a second opponent on the night for clubs in recent years, especially with PSG’s ultras and the atmosphere Enrique has built up during his tenure at the club.

Additionally, PSG’s unbeaten home record this season should give them a slight edge going into this game tonight.

However, Bayern Munich’s form heading into this European fixture is unmatched with every game played this season; Kompany’s side has won.

This cannot go unnoticed, and it is fair to say that the Bayern Munich side Kompany is building this season has emerged as a favourite to win the whole competition.