Who, Paris or Bayern Munich, is currently the best team in Europe? Elements of response Tuesday with the semi-final first leg between the two behemoths of the Champions League while the two clubs display their confidence.

Published on: 04/27/2026 - 4:52 p.m. Modified on: 04/28/2026 - 6:18 p.m.

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The final before its time? PSG hosts Bayern Munich, Tuesday April 28, at the Parc des Princes, in the semi-final first leg of the Champions League in a match between two C1 favorites.

“These are the two best teams in Europe,” assures Luis Enrique at a pre-match press conference. "In terms of consistency, Bayern are a bit above us. But in terms of what we show, there is no team better than us."

For this third European semi-final in a row under the orders of the Spanish coach, the Parisians want to continue to mark the history of the capital club. And even more, that of European football, by trying to follow in the footsteps of Zinédine Zidane's Real Madrid, the last team to have achieved the "back to back" (2016, 2017, 2018).

"It's different because the first time it was a relief to win it. Now it's a different story, it's a motivation. Making history is great but now we're hungry. We're excited to play these matches, we can't wait," said Luis Enrique.

Bayern Munich and the Kompany method

But on the road to this possible second coronation in Budapest stands the biggest possible obstacle: the Bayern of Vincent Kompany (coach suspended on Tuesday), Harry Kane and Michael Olise, against whom Paris lost during the league phase in November (2-1). On the other hand, the reigning European champions will be able to rely on the quarter-final of the Club World Cup in July, won 2-0.

“We are looking forward to taking on this challenge,” said this weekend the English striker, 32 years old and still one of the best Munich players this season, who expects “a lot of one-on-one duels, a lot of intensity”, knowing that the two teams have “a very similar style of play”.

Kane completes the Bavarian offensive trident with Michael Olise and Luis Diaz, 92 goals between them, not counting the rise of Jamal Musiala. Bayern's offensive strike force this season is impressive with 167 goals in 49 matches in all competitions (including 38 in the Champions League).

For Christoph Freund, the sporting director of the German champions, "the collective performance and the way in which we will present ourselves together as a team will be decisive", certain that his players have "a lot of confidence and great energy" for this double confrontation, which begins Tuesday at the Parc des Princes.

PSG almost complete

This confidence and energy, Marquinhos' teammates also have it fully. It is also thanks to these qualities and their powerful mental strength that they escaped the Liverpool trap two weeks ago (2-0).

Helped by a great Matveï Safonov in the goals and liberated by Ousmane Dembélé, ultra effective at the time when his entourage and the club were waiting for him to find his Ballon d'Or version, the Parisians showed that they could respond to a great challenge, capable of resisting the waves by defending together.

“You have to suffer to go to the end,” said Dembélé at Anfield, with his aura of attack leader and concentrated in his mission if we are to believe his body language, like last year at the same time.

Above all, the Parisians know that they can rely again on their usual game, found for several weeks and a real steamroller: intense pressing, permanent movements, fluid and elusive passes, accelerations and rapid transitions. And above all an effective attack also led by the Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who shines during these major meetings.

"All the coaches are looking to arrive in the final sprint of the season in the best conditions. All the players are ready, that's the magic of the Champions League, which gives a special energy to the players. They all want to be there. The rest depends on many things, it's not by chance."

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