Bayern Munich secured a huge UEFA Champions League win on Tuesday with a 1-0 success against Paris Saint-Germain at Allianz Arena which puts the French giants in a very difficult situation with three League Phase games to go.
Min-Jae Kim's header was the difference between the two sides in Bavaria with a first half header after Matvey Safonov spoiled an otherwise flawless showing by spilling the ball from a Bayern corner to present the opportunity.
The Russian, between the sticks instead of Gianluigi Donnarumma, had made an excellent early save Jamal Musiala early on as Vincent Kompany's men sought to make a strong start roared on by their strong home support.
However, it was nearly silenced by Warren Zaire-Emery who wasted a golden chance as PSG hit Bayern on the break and created the sort of chance that you cannot afford to skew wide on the road when in need of points like Luis Enrique's side.
Kim's goal, when it came, winded the French champions who had looked good value to be goalless at the break but Safonov's sole mistake of the encounter proved to be a costly one with the giant defender heading powerfully home.
The second half started similarly to the first with Bayern not putting PSG to bed and almost being punished for it but Ousmane Dembele's rash challenge on Alphonso Davies ensured a red card having already been on a booking since the first half.
Musiala was denied once again by Safonov who got enough on an effort from the edge of the box to put the ball onto the post but that was the extent of the scoring with Bayern picking up three huge points to pull clear of the danger that PSG well and truly are mired in now with just four points from five games.
Les Parisiens are in the elimination places with just three games to go and arguably need to go without defeat against Red Bull Salzburg, Manchester City and VfB Stuttgart to achieve a knockout phase berth with a minimum of six points the only way to reach the 10-point barrier which should normally see a team advance.
Bayern are looking better and sit just one point off the knockout places with nine points from five games despite two defeats and Shakhtar Donetsk, Feyenoord and Slovan Bratislava should not instil too much fear in the Bundesliga giants as they continue to recover after a slow start.
Bayern Munich 1, PSG 0
That is it! All over in Bavaria as the Germans emerge victorious by a single goal despite having a one-man advantage for most of that second half after Dembele's red. Kim's first half header makes the ultimate difference which was harsh on Safonov but Kompany's men get three big points while Luis Enrique's PSG take a third loss.
It is still fairly open with PSG getting forward where possible. No breakthrough but Bayern look shaky at the back as the minutes tick down. Do we have time for a late twist?
What a chance for Bayern to win it. The Germany international cannot beat Safonovo and the woodwork from the edge of the box, though. The Russian tips the effort onto the post and arguably keeps his team in it.
Bayern are yet to put this one to bed and PSG have since sent Lee Kang-in and Goncalo Ramos on in search of an equalizer. Could there be a surprise in this one despite the Germans having a man over? Les Parisiens cannot afford for it to finish 1-0 as it currently stands. Nuno Mendes has now joined Hakimi on a yellow for a stretching challenge.
Silly from the PSG man. On a booking, he has his shot blocked and then throws himself at Davies which leaves the referee with no real choice but to show a card. Ordinarily, perhaps a yellow -- he was already on an unnecessary booking. How does Luis Enrique deal with this one now? No changes just yet.
Things are a bit more even since the break but there have been no goals and no changes for the moment. Is that about to change or we in for the long haul without another goal?
PSG will want a goal sooner than later because as things stand, they wouldn't be in the top 24 teams of the Champions League league phase. Bayern Munich dominated the first half and the Parisians were unable to create much of their own so changes could be coming quickly to shake this up.
The German hosts are ahead at the break thanks to Kim's header after Safonov failed to deal with a Bayern corner. Allianz Arena is being treated to a good game so far and it is the home side who are in front despite a few good Parisien chances.
The hosts lead as we approach half time thanks to Kim Min-jae! Safonov questionable as he flaps at the corner and the Korean giant makes no mistake from the header as the Russian shot stopper struggles to keep track of the ball. A little harsh on PSG's opening half, but that Zaire-Emery chance looks huge right now.
The former PSG man wiggles his way through the visiting Parisien defense before firing over. A good opening for the France international who cannot repeat his 2020 final goal. Just seconds later, though, the visitors open up the Bayern defense only for Zaire-Emery to waste a glorious chance when positioned well. Minutes later, Dembele forces a save out of Neuer before Neves flashes one wide from distance. End to end at the moment!
Bayern dominant so far with more of the ball and more chances created. However, PSG do look set up to exploit their back line with lost of pace up against the Bavarian brawn. The hosts are getting stuck in build-up for now, but we are not yet at the halfway point in the opening 45.
The hosts have already seen a bit of the PSG goal with an early corner whipped in and palmed away by Safonov who is in for Donnarumma. Bayern, as you would expect, trying to fly out of the traps. So far, PSG have not seen too much of the home half, but they clearly have the pace up to to change that. The biggest chance, though, falling to Musiala who found Safonov equal to the task. Dembele almost hit back immediately for Les Parisiens who won a corner of their own which came to nothing in the end.
The action has started in Germany with a superb atmosphere at Allianz Arena with both sets of fans in fine voice despite their current positions in the League Phase. A big 90 minutes for Vincent Kompany and Luis Enrique, but who will come out on top? Hopefully, it will be a memorable encounter with these two star-studded XIs going at it from the off. Slightly later start here compared with the other games -- a few minutes in it.
Bayern 1-2 PSG: Luis Enrique's Parisiens desperately need to win while Vincent Kompany's Bavarians remain hard to predict in Europe. PSG are generally better when they have their backs against the wall while being away from Parc des Princes will arguably suit the French champions. The Germans will not want to be leapfrogged by Paris so expect a game which sees both sides score. -- Jonathan Johnson
Harry Kane to score (-120): I may not love goal scorers at minus odds but Harry Kane also isn't most goalscorers. With 20 goals in only 17 appearances this season in all competitions, this is the definition of keeping it simple. Kane is on penalties and PSG are prone to defensive mistakes which will provide plenty of opportunities to hit the back of the net at home. -- Chuck Booth
Harry Kane: Despite the outcome of the game, we can expect a lot from the English striker who already scored five goals in the opening four games, and also 14 goals in 11 Bundesliga games. PSG might also win the match, but it's very likely Kane will score at least one goal against the French side. -- Francesco Porzio
Michael Olise: PSG look vulnerable almost everywhere in Europe but a left flank without Nuno Mendes could be something that Bayern can get at. Olise needs no second invitation to go at his opponents; if he rediscovers his early season form there will be trouble ahead for the visitors. -- James Benge
PSG's Joao Neves: Joao Neves further underlined his growing importance to Paris Saint-Germain with a stunning goal in a 3-0 win over Toulouse in Ligue 1 last Friday as club soccer returned after the November international break ahead of another vital UEFA Champions League slate of games. The Portugal international midfielder swept home with a superb volleyed finish from the edge of the penalty area to open the scoring against the visitors at Parc des Princes before Lucas Beraldo and Vitinha made sure of the victory with late goals.
"I think we wanted to show our quality as a team, that was the most important thing," said Neves postgame. "The score does not matter, what matters is to have a good game and to be able to repeat that. The most important thing is the team. This victory is very good because we have the Champions League coming up and we are giving ourselves confidence."
"I think matches after an international break and before a Champions League match are always difficult," Luis Enrique said postgame. "That was the case again, but I think we lived up to it. On Joao, he played number six then left-back, we wanted to use his ability to get going at the back. When a midfielder scores, we insist on it but I am more satisfied with his second half."
Neves showcasing his versatility will have been a huge boost for Luis Enrique as an alternative to another Portuguese star in Nuno Mendes but in the middle is where the Tavira native is most valuable and he will be expected to be influential again this coming Tuesday. Nothing has phased Neves yet in his time with PSG and he was even one of the better performers away at Arsenal as the Gunners got the better of the French champions a few months ago with the midfielder hitting the woodwork.
Senny Mayulu and Lucas Hernandez are out although Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Ramos and Presnel Kimpembe are back in for Luis Enrique. Marquinhos was suspended against Toulouse but is back while Vitinha, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Willian Pacho should also start. Bradley Barcola has been in stunning form while Marco Asensio and Ousmane Dembele could form the rest of the attack.
Confirmed PSG XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Zaire-Emery, Dembele, Barcola.
Some interesting calls from Luis Enrique here! Matvey Safonov over Gianluigi Donnarumma and four midfielders in Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha over a false nine such as Marco Asensio or Lee Kang-in with a real nine in Goncalo Ramos back on the bench. Meanwhile, former PSG man and 2020 Champions League winner Kingsley Coman lines up against Les Parisiens from the off for Bayern who have Michael Olise as a substitute.
Bayern XI: Neuer (c); Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Kane.
Bayern bench: Peretz, Schmitt, Gnabry, Dier, Olise, Ibrahimovic, Guerreiro, Boey, Muller, Tel.
PSG XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Zaire-Emery, Dembele, Barcola.
PSG bench: Donnarumma, Tenas, Ramos, Asensio, Doue, Lee, Kolo Muani, Beraldo, Skriniar, Zague.
Joao Palhinha is out while Mathys Tel took a knock and Aleksandar Pavlovic as well as Josip Stanisic are at least now training. Hiroki Ito is a long-term absentee so Leon Goretzka may replace Palhinha while Serge Gnabry and Konrad Laimer should return to the XI after missing the Augsburg win. Harry Kane has 20 goals from 17 appearances with five of those goals in four UCL outings.
Confirmed Bayern XI: Neuer (c); Laimer, Upamecano, Kim, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Coman; Kane.
Date: Tuesday, November 26 | Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Allianz Arena - Munich, Germany
Watch: Paramount+
Odds: Bayern -167; Draw +350; PSG +400
Thank you for joining our coverage of Tuesday's big game in the UEFA Champions League with Bayern Munich vs. Paris Saint-Germain coming up in just over 90 minutes. This one is big for both sides so expect the encounter to live up to the billing at Allianz Arena. Team news and updates from Bavaria to come shortly.
