PARIS — It’s time to acknowledge Bayern Munich as serious contenders for the UEFA Champions League. Currently, the Bundesliga powerhouses have established themselves as the team to beat on the path to next May’s final in Budapest, having demonstrated their prowess in a challenging match in Paris on Tuesday.
Defeating Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes is no small feat, but Bayern managed a 2-1 victory despite being reduced to 10 men before halftime, following double goalscorer Luis Díaz receiving a red card for a dangerous tackle on Achraf Hakimi.
With a man down against the reigning European champions, widely considered the best team in the world despite their FIFA Club World Cup final loss to Chelsea in July, Bayern shifted from a dominant first-half performance to a resolute second-half defense.
Key to this resilience was the legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who will turn 40 next March, and the tireless effort of Harry Kane, who contributed defensively as fiercely as any of his teammates. Consequently, Bayern extended their remarkable streak to 16 consecutive wins across all competitions this season.
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“The most important thing for me, something I often remind my players, is to not get caught up in the hype. You’re not as good as people say; however, if you underperform, it doesn’t mean you’re terrible either,” Bayern manager Vincent Kompany stated in a press conference.
“We’ve won 16 matches, and tomorrow it all resets. We must focus on our next game. But defending with ten men adds another valuable experience for us as we move through the season.”
Until Díaz’s dismissal in first-half stoppage time, which followed a VAR review that overturned a yellow card to a red, Bayern had expertly dismantled PSG with electric counter-attacks, with Díaz netting twice after his summer transfer from Liverpool for £65.5 million.
The way Kompany’s team controlled the game against PSG was impressive, especially considering the Ligue 1 champions were only missing the injured Désiré Doué and had João Neves starting on the bench. Yet, Bayern’s impressive performance solidifies their status as favorites, showcasing their ability to execute both aggressive offensive plays and resilient defense. The fact that they triumphed over PSG reinforces their claim to have defeated one of the best teams.
“With 11 players on the field, Bayern were superior,” PSG coach Luis Enrique acknowledged.
Bayern’s sustained domestic success might lead some to overlook their achievements, having secured the Bundesliga title 12 times in the last 13 seasons. Their current nine-game winning streak in the league, including notable wins against Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen, is impressive, yet many still debated their standing as Europe’s best. However, the Champions League serves as a better yardstick, and Bayern has faced strong competition in the group stage.
Starting with a 3-1 victory against Chelsea on matchday one, they have since bested PSG, claiming wins over both the world and European champions. Teams like Arsenal, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Manchester City are capable of challenging Bayern, but as of now, Kompany’s side appears to reign supreme.
During the first half in Paris, Kane, Díaz, and Michael Olise inflicted the same kind of attacking pressure that Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Doué applied to their opponents during the previous season’s Champions League campaign. Kompany’s midfield trio of Serge Gnabry, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Joshua Kimmich matched up well against PSG’s midfield featuring Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and Warren Zaïre-Emery.
Díaz’s goals in the 4th and 32nd minutes underscored Bayern’s dominance, even as PSG had a goal by Dembélé disallowed for offside shortly before his exit due to a hamstring injury.
The sending off of Díaz ultimately showcased Bayern’s defensive capabilities, a side of their game that is rarely tested in the Bundesliga. It was a collective effort from Kompany’s team, resilient in defense due to Neuer’s outstanding performance and the contributions of center-backs Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.
If Bayern were a heavyweight in boxing, their striking power and attacking options would be well recognized, but questions about their resilience would persist. After standing firm against PSA in their own stadium and securing the win, doubts about Bayern’s toughness and ability to fend off relentless assaults have been put to rest.
With forwards like Kane, Olise, and Díaz, combined with their solid defensive unit, Bayern has what it takes to contend for the title this Champions League season. Although it’s still early in the competition, they rank among the strongest teams globally.
“The Champions League champion isn’t determined yet; otherwise, PSG wouldn’t have claimed the title last season,” Kompany noted. “It’s about progressing to the next round and maintaining this form through the season’s end.”