The return of Champions League action this season couldn’t possibly come at a worse time for PSG as they gear up to play German champions Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Round of 16 series.
Dealing with a host of injuries that have stymied their domestic form, PSG will limp into the UEFA continental competition’s knockout stage amid a miserable run of matches that has seen their Ligue 1 dominance challenged.
Bayern also face a fierce battle domestically, sitting just a point above Union Berlin and three clear of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga table. They suffered through a damaging string of draws in January, but have responded with a pair of consecutive league wins.
Both sides are injury stricken up front, with PSG sweating the fitness of Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, while Bayern continue to be without the services of Sadio Mane. This match will feature a number of international stars, but the game could also be won or lost by players with a smaller but equally important role to play.
PSG vs Bayern Munich: Three things to know
Here are the key facts, trends and lineup updates ahead of the much-anticipated Round of 16 showdown between two of the favorites to win the European crown.
PSG vs. Bayern Munich match facts
- Date: Tuesday, February 14
- Kickoff Time: 3 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. GMT / 7 a.m. AEDT (Wed, Feb. 15)
- Location: Parc des Princes (Paris, France)
- Official: Michael Oliver (England)
PSG vs Bayern Munich team news
All eyes ahead of this one will be on Mbappe and Messi. The two PSG stars are both injured, but either or both could pass fit for this match. Messi appears to have the greater chance to do so, as PSG announced he will train ahead of the game. Mbappe was initially ruled out by PSG, but Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann seems convinced he will play.
Marco Verratti will be an important name to keep an eye on as well, as he took a knock over the weekend and will be assessed. Renato Sanches is out, as is Nordi Mukiele. Centre-back Presnel Kimpembe returned off the bench against Monaco and he could make his full return in this game.
Bayern have a number of players struggling ahead of this match. A pair of attackers are in a fitness race, with Mane and Thomas Muller doubtful. It appears Muller is likely to play despite coming off at halftime over the weekend against VfL Bochum with a knock, but Mane still needs time following three months out with a leg injury. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is out for the season with a broken leg, seeing Yann Sommer take over in net. Noussair Mazraoui has been sidelined with heart inflammation after a bout with COVID-19 and has no timeline for a return, while Lucas Hernandez faces a long spell on the sidelines after his torn ACL at the World Cup.
PSG vs Bayern Munich key stats
- This game is a rematch of the 2020 Champions League final in which Bayern Munich emerged victorious 1-0 thanks to a 59th minute goal by Kingsley Coman. Eight of the 15 Bayern Munich players who appeared in that match are no longer with the club, while one other (Neuer) is absent for this match.
- These two teams have met on 11 previous occasions, and have never drawn. The visiting side has won just three of 10 matches, not including the 2017 final played at a neutral venue.
- 19-year-old Jamal Musiala became the youngest player to ever make 100 appearances for Bayern Munich in December.
PSG vs Bayern Munich prediction
- Moneyline lean: Bayern Munich (+145)
- Against the spread lean (handicap): Bayern Munich -0.5 (+135)
- Score prediction: PSG 0-2 Bayern Munich
There’s just no way to possibly trust PSG at this point in time. Charged with carrying the attacking load over the weekend against a good AS Monaco side, Neymar fell flat, unable to provide any kind of spark. Messi and Mbappe may both be out for this match, or at least could play a limited role, so it’s an uphill battle for the hosts
It’s hard to imagine anything other than a Bayern win here, and an early advantage in the two-legged matchup.