PSG edge Bayern Munich in nine-goal Champions League semi-final classic
Momentum defined Tuesday night in Paris as Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 5-4 first-leg advantage over Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final that consistently favoured attacking intent over defensive balance.
From the outset at Parc des Princes, both sides leaned into high-risk, high-reward football - a tactical choice that shaped a game where transitions were frequent and defensive structures repeatedly stretched.
PSG executed more efficiently in decisive moments, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé each scoring twice, with João Neves scoring in the 33rd-minute as well.
Bayern matched that aggression but not the final margin.
Harry Kane and Michael Olise were again central to their attacking output, with Dayot Upamecano and Luis Díaz also contributing in a contest that rarely paused.
‘We’ll continue to attack’ says Dembélé
"It was a match between two great teams who attack, who don't hesitate,” Dembélé told Canal+ Foot.
"We're happy with the result, even though at 5-2 we stopped playing a bit towards the end.
"We're not going to change our philosophy. We're going to attack, and they're going to attack too. So I think it's going to be a great second match."
PSG’s late dip, after building a three-goal cushion, leaves the tie open despite their edge - a reflection of the same attacking commitment that brought them success but denied them control.
READ MORE: FA Cup news: Chelsea steady the ship to set up Man City final after edging Leeds
Kane: ‘Defenders were outstanding’
"Even though there was nine goals scored, there was some amazing defending out there,” Kane told Amazon Prime.
"You've got the best players in the world. The best attackers, the best defenders. Of course, sometimes the attackers are going to come out on top and show their quality.
"When you go back and look at the centre-halves playing in midfield, in attack sometimes, out wide against the wingers, credit to them.
“It's a really hard job. I thought they were outstanding," the Bayern striker added.
Bayern’s structural flexibility - particularly defenders stepping into advanced areas, underlined their approach, but also contributed to the open spaces PSG repeatedly exploited.
Crazy, yet exciting
Thierry Henry framed the match as a broader statement on attacking intent in modern football, speaking on CBS Sports.
"We've been talking a lot about teams who don't take enough risks,” Henry said. “We talk about teams not losing the game rather than winning it.
"Tonight we had plenty of risk. If we have our defensive hats on you might go crazy with what you saw tonight.
"But I don't care. People have been complaining football is boring. That game was not boring. It was just crazy at times," he continued.
With the second leg set for May 6 at the Allianz Arena, the tie remains finely balanced, but its identity is already clear.
If the same tactical openness carries into Munich, this semi-final could yet set a new benchmark for scoring in Champions League knockout history.
READ NEXT: Anthony Joshua v Tyson Fury 2026 showdown to reshape heavyweight landscape
