Few fixtures in the Women’s Champions League have produced as much drama in recent years as Paris Saint-Germain vs. Bayern Munich. On Tuesday they meet again at the Parc des Princes for the eighth time. Both are still unbeaten, level on five points in sixth and seventh place in the league phase. For the winner, a spot in the top four could be had.
An Even Rivalry
In the relatively young world of European women’s club soccer, this fixture has become one of the most reliable rivalries. Across the board, results are fairly even with two draws and two wins to PSG (three to Bayern). However, PSG’s two wins were many years ago. Their last home victory over Bayern was a 4-0 quarter-final rout all the way back in March 2017. Then in 2022, they earned a tough 4-3 aggregate victory in a two-leg contest. Bayern was particularly stubborn, forcing PSG into extra time despite missing eight starters due to COVID. It took a 112th minute strike from Ramona Bachmann to advance the Parisians in front of a record crowd of 27,262 at the Parc des Princes.
Bayern have had a stronger run since. In the 2023/24 campaign, the two sides were placed in Group C, ensuring two fixtures. In the first match, Bayern eked out a narrow 1-0 win in Paris. Munich looked set to win again in the reverse fixture, until an 88th-minute own goal and a disallowed stoppage-time goal left it 2-2. Last season’s contest back at the Parc was a comfortable 3-1 victory for the Germans.
Form Guide
Neither side has really lived up to their lofty expectations in the Champions League group phase so far, both with equal D-W-D records.
Paris Saint-Germain: After being stunned by a 2nd minute Real Madrid goal, Paulo César’s team needed a second half penalty conversion from Sakina Karchaoui to draw 1-1. They proceeded to demolish Leuven 5-0, and once again needed an 88th-minute equalizer from Tara Elimbi to draw 1-1 at Manchester City. Let’s be frank, it could be better. At home in the Première Ligue they sit second with 19 points from eight games (6W-1D-1L). That one loss was a painful one: a 4-0 defeat to OL Lyonnes at this same stadium in October. PSG answered with a 4-0 win over Le Havre on Friday, which makes five clean-sheet wins in their last six home games.
Bayern Munich: Consistency has eluded José Barcala’s champions in the group phase. They squandered a two goal lead to draw Manchester City. Their 3-0 victory over Benfica looks god, but all three scores came in the final twenty minutes. They did show their grit by coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Real Madrid. This wobbliness sits in stark contrast to their domestic form, where they’ve been perfect. They have nine wins from nine Frauen-Bundesliga games, with 32 goals scored and only eight conceded. Overall, they’re 15 games unbeaten this season, even if they are not firing on all cylinders. Their last competitive loss was to Barcelona in May’s semi-final. No shame in that.
Paris Saint-Germain Players to Watch
There are two bright spots for PSG to keep an eye on. Merveille Kanjinga leads the club in league goals, and opened the scoring against Le Havre. But in the WCL, it’s all about Naomie Feller. Signed from Real Madrid this summer, the pacey winger opened her account in league scoring on her 25th birthday, then earned a brace against Leuven (also contributing two assists). Midfielder Emilie Østerås and defender Anđela Krstić are also new arrivals this season. Griedge Mbock anchors the defense and adds a threat at set pieces.
Sadly, injury woes have depleted the PSG lineup. Sakina Karchaoui is out for six to eight weeks after hurting her ankle at City. Nigerian winger Rasheedat Ajibade fractured her fibula while on international duty and will be out months. Those two players were responsible for four contributions in the group phase, and will be sorely missed. Midfielder Anaïs Ebayilin is likely out for the season with an ACL tear.Â
Bayern Munich Players to Watch
Klara Bühl is the player PSG must stop. She leads the team with nine goals in all competitions this season, and also scored in that 2022 quarter-final. Edna Imade has seven goals and scored twice against Werder Bremen. But Bayern are far from a two-woman show. Pernille Harder still delivers, and Vanessa Gilles has five goals of her own as a center back. Bayern will be without Lena Oberdorf and captain GlódÃs Perla Viggósdóttir, who both have knee injuries. But on the positive side, Giulia Gwinn has just come back from injury and could be available from the bench, and goalkeeper Ena Mahmutovic returns after serving a suspension.
The Verdict
It’s as close to a toss-up as you get in the Champions League. Bayern arrive with more momentum, but PSG’s home form has been solid, and they are hard to break down. In a rivalry that’s all too frequently defined by late drama, let’s hope this fixture lives up to that expectation. The stakes couldn’t be higher. The winner will climb up the ladder, sitting high enough in the table to make a strong top four run. The loser will slide, making for some nervy remaining ties as they fight to stay above the drop zone. Expect another close one that isn’t settled until the final minutes.
