Defending champion PSG faces 6-time winner Bayern in Champions League semifinal

PSG's Desire Doue, left, celebrates with PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
PSG's Desire Doue, left, celebrates with PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring the opening goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
Munich's Harry Kane celebrates his side's fourth goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
Munich's Harry Kane celebrates his side's fourth goal during a German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, second left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Bayern Munich's coach Vincent Kompany attends a team training session ahead of a Champions League semi-final, first leg soccer match against Paris Saint-Germain, in Munich, Germany, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)
Bayern Munich's coach Vincent Kompany attends a team training session ahead of a Champions League semi-final, first leg soccer match against Paris Saint-Germain, in Munich, Germany, Monday, April 27, 2026. (Sven Hoppe/dpa via AP)
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One soccer match between Angers and Paris Saint-Germain in Angers, western France, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
PSG's head coach Luis Enrique reacts during the French League One soccer match between Angers and Paris Saint-Germain in Angers, western France, Saturday, April 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Mathieu Pattier)
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PARIS (AP) — Titleholder Paris Saint-Germain hosts six-time winner Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday.

Coach Luis Enrique's PSG is at full strength while Vincent Kompany's Bayern has already clinched a record-extending 35th Bundesliga championship and remains on course for a treble.

Kompany is suspended, meaning he's barred from the dressing room and the touchline at Parc des Princes. Bayern won 2-1 in Paris in the league stage in November with left winger Luis Díaz scoring twice.

Two-time finalist PSG is appearing in its third straight semifinal and faces a Bayern which has not lost in any competition since Jan. 24 and scored 19 goals in the past five games.

Striker Harry Kane netted his 53rd goal of another prolific season on Saturday and right winger Michael Olise also was on target as Bayern rallied from 3-0 down at halftime to beat Mainz 4-3 in the Bundesliga.

Ligue 1 leader PSG also rested some first-teamers in a 3-0 win at Angers on Saturday and hopes to have midfielders Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz ready to start alongside João Neves at Parc des Princes.

Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire said he would attend the game and Paris city hall was decked out in PSG's colors.

“Tonight I will be beside the team at Parc des Princes,” he posted on X. “All Parisians are with you, we're waiting for a victory. Good luck.”

Spanish side Atletico Madrid hosts London club Arsenal on Wednesday in the other semifinal first leg.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

 

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