PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 28: Joao Neves of Paris Saint-Germain (L) and Konrad Laimer of FC Bayern München compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sebastian El-Saqqa - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
It’s important not to forget, in the afterglow of the stunning spectacle that was Paris Saint-Germain 5 FC Bayern Munich 4, that there haven’t been other exciting Champions League semi-final first legs.
From the madness of Manchester City 4 Real Madrid 3 in 2022 to the breathtaking surprise of Borussia Dortmund 4 Real Madrid 1 in 2013, such occasions remind us that the competition can sparkle, even in the most tense settings.
The reason the game in Paris was different, however, was that, unlike the game before it, which was unplanned, this was deliberate, attacking freedom.
That, in a competition where the stakes are so high, is revolutionary. For decades, we have been used to teams avoiding risk at all costs, playing stodgy, sideways soccer that seeks to prevent a random mistake from deciding things.
This cautious approach has re-emerged this season, especially in England, where defensive solidity and rehearsed set-pieces tend to outweigh creative play.
Meanwhile, the excitement of the possession-based era—marked by short passing, high pressing, and game control—seemed to be fading.
Yet, under the lights at Parc des Princes, both teams focused on attacking and risk-taking—making it a match worthy of a final. Joyfully, there is still another leg to come.
It’s often suggested that managers hate these types of chaotic games, but the wonderful thing about this encounter was that the men on the sideline weren’t ruing the lack of control.
They enjoyed it because it was deliberate. In the words of PSG coach Luis Enrique, it was “the best match I have ever coached.”
“It was amazing,” he added. “It had amazing rhythm, trying to play offensive football, trying to show their quality. I think everybody had fun watching the match. I’m happy because we won.”
Banned from the touchline, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany had a different experience, but still emphasized the all-or-nothing nature of the match.
“It was different for me to watch,” he told TNT Sports, “I would have preferred to be on the pitch, going with the emotion of the game and trying to help. We suffered, but we were dangerous. Five goals away from home in the Champions League normally means you’re out, but the chances we had made us believe.
“If you’ve got nothing with the game at 5-2, then it’s hard to make a case to turn it around, but being as dangerous as we were, then I feel like it’s about getting your head back in the game and taking our chances.
“I’ve seen a lot of good defending today but the game is such fine margins, you either go full into the battles, or retreat fully. The in between doesn’t work against that level of players. “We’re at home with 75,000 people in the stadium [next week], I want more. We want that weight to be there and then the Allianz Arena is a place where anything can happen.”
PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 28: Head coach Vincent Kompany of FC Bayern München was seen in the stands during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Bayern München at Parc des Princes on April 28, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Sebastian El-Saqqa - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
As Kompany highlighted, there was a point in the game when Bayern could have been cooked, and the flurry of late goals favoured his side.
His striker, Harry Kane, certainly relished the occasion. “You saw two high-level teams in attacking play and transition,” he said afterwards.
“We fought and we clawed and we’re back in the tie. I thought there was amazing defending even though there were nine goals. Sometimes the forwards will come out on top but the back line was outstanding today.”
It seems unlikely, given the prevailing trend towards conservative, reactive soccer, but all soccer fans must hope this game is a vision of the future.