The current French champion celebrated at the “Parc des Princes” in a real victory (5:4) and took an important step towards qualifying for the final, which is scheduled for May 30 in Budapest.
One of the best matches in the recent history of the elite competition was witnessed – nine goals, atomic football full of rhythm, twists and turns and excitement. A match to remember, one that will be written and talked about for a long time across Europe, in a word – anthological.
Despite losing by one goal, the Bavarians are the ones who can be happier with the result, as they were losing 5:2 after an hour of play.
Bayern looked more dangerous in the first 15 minutes, and took the lead in the 17th. William Paco brought down Luis Diaz in his own penalty area, and referee Sandro Scherere pointed to the white spot. Harry Kane took responsibility and sent the ball in one direction, and Matvey Safonov in the other. This was the Englishman's 13th goal this season in the elite competition and he is now two less than Kylian Mbappe.
Three minutes later, the Bavarians could have doubled their lead, but Safonov "took" a shot from Michael Oliseh. And then, 180 seconds later, a shot from the other end. Zaire-Emery launched Ousmane Dembele, who went out alone on Manuel Neuer, but shot far wide.
However, in the 24th minute, the Parisians brought things back to “the beginning.” Desiree Due masterfully set up Hvicha Kvaracheli, who entered the penalty area in his own style, and then hit the far corner with his weaker right foot.
In the 31st minute, in just a few tenths of a second, there were chances on both sides. Olise passed down the right side, saved the ball, and it bounced off Joao Neves straight into the post, and then Due on the other side was almost inaccurate.
Two minutes later, PSG made a complete turnaround. Dembele took a corner from the left, and one of the shortest players on the pitch, Neves, slipped past the defenders and sent the ball into the net from the near post in the box.
In the 41st minute, the German champion equalized – Olise did everything brilliantly, passing through the middle too easily, and it is possible that the home team's defense also failed and then checkmated Safonov.
The excitement didn't end there, as the Saints went into the break with a goal advantage thanks to a goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the first half. The ball hit Alphonse Davies in the arm, Scherer got a call from the VAR room, and after reviewing the video, he pointed to the penalty area. Dembele was safe from 11 meters, although Neuer was on the ball.
At the very start of the second half, Konrad Lajmer had a chance, but he shot wide of the post.
In the 56th minute, PSG came up two points. Vitinja found Achraf Hakimi on the right with a great pass, who crossed into the box, and Kvaracheli came from behind, who beat Neuer for the second time.
Four minutes later, the scoreboard showed a somewhat unrealistic 5:2 after another excellent transition – Dembele also scored a second time, this time with a bit of luck (off the post) and shocked the visiting fans.
Exactly halfway through the second half, Bayern got back into the game. Joshua Kimmich made a clearance, and Dayot Upamecano headed the ball just wide of Safonov's back.
Nepuna tri minuta kasnije Bacarci su smanjili na 5:4, što je ispostaviće se bio i konačan ishod ovog epskog duela. Kejn je maestralno uposlio Luisa Dijasa koji je sve perfektno odradio – prijem, dribling a onda i egzekucija.
After that, the pace of the game dropped somewhat as expected, Bayern were mostly looking for an equalizer, and Paris could have shocked them in the very end, but the super-talented Sami Majulu was unlucky, hitting the frame of the goal.
In stoppage time, Kimmich tried to head the ball, but Paco intervened on the goal line.
The second leg in Munich will be played next Wednesday (May 6th) and there is no doubt that another unforgettable match awaits us.
Atletico Madrid and Arsenal meet tomorrow at 9pm in Madrid, and it's hard to believe that after tonight's blockbuster, we can get something similar or better than the duel in Paris.
