Bayern have arrived in Paris and are prepared for the next Herculean task. Coach Vincent Kompany sets the tone ahead of the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
It’s not yet very flashy around Paris’ Parc des Princes, the big fireworks are only due to take place on Tuesday evening when FC Bayern take on defending champions PSG in the first leg of the semi-final. The Munich team look prepared and inspired. Things could hardly have been more emotional in the run-up to the 4:3 comeback win in Mainz.
The long-won Bundesliga is now a distant memory, the only thing that matters is the top flight. The great dream of all players, especially those who, unlike Manuel Neuer or Joshua Kimmich, have not yet had the pleasure. Harry Kane, for example, who hadn’t won anything for years, was already talking about the infamous Henkelpott in his first German lessons. Now the final is once again within sight, as it was two years ago under Thomas Tuchel, when the hurdle of Real Madrid in the semi-finals was too high.
Unlike last year, Bayern are in the flow
The record champions have already left the Whites behind them this time, but PSG are probably an even bigger challenge in sporting terms. But unlike in 2024, Kompany’s Bayern have grown, are healthier and in a flow that actually offers the best conditions. Nine wins in a row is one thing, dominance and goal threat are another.
“Paris is the biggest challenge, but we like challenges,” said coach Vincent Kompany on Monday, around 25 hours before kick-off of the first leg, which he will spend in the stands due to a yellow card suspension. “Where am I sitting? Somewhere in the stadium, I don’t know my way around that well yet.”
He – or interim coach Aaron Danks – will field his current best eleven in Paris, with Jamal Musiala replacing the injured Serge Gnabry and the ten others who recently knocked out Real Madrid.
The drive is different to last year, when a shaken FCB failed to reach the quarter-finals against eventual finalists Inter. Kompany doesn’t want to look back anyway, it’s all about the here and now, and the Belgian sounds as confident as ever. “We’re hungry,” he assures us. “We want what they have.” In other words, the Champions League title from defending champions PSG.
Bayern are encouraged by the whole season, Kompany’s team won both in Paris (2:1) and for the first time in 25 years in Madrid (2:1). “We’ve taken a lot of steps. Paris are still the Champions League winners, but if there’s one team that can go into this clash, it might be us. Who want it the most. We want this game. It’s important that everyone understands that. We don’t want to avoid it.”
Only he himself will have to take a different route, at least on Tuesday, somewhere in the stands. Gritting his teeth or fist-pumping, it remains exciting.
