PSG - Bayern Munich: A Rivalry of Equals

PSG still cannot forget what happened at Estadio da Luz. Kingsley Coman’s precise header in the 59th minute secured Bayern’s sixth title in the competition’s history, shattering PSG’s dream. It also left a deep scar in the French club’s history as they reached their first Champions League final only to be defeated by a former player.

Up to this fourth qualifying round match, PSG and Bayern have met 14 times in European competitions. Bayern has won 8 matches, while PSG has won 6. Although the difference is not huge, in recent encounters, the German side has dominated: Bayern has won 6 of the last 7 meetings, and in the last 4 games, PSG has failed to score against Bayern.

Five years after that bitter final, everything has changed. PSG has transformed. They recently won the 2025 UEFA Champions League title by thrashing Inter Milan 5-0 in the final. Under coach Luis Enrique, PSG has now become a true winning machine.

The clash between reigning champions PSG and Bayern Munich is one of the most anticipated matchups. For PSG, it is a real test to prove their strength after defeating giants Barcelona 2-1 on their home ground. In their latest Champions League qualifying match, the French team beat Bayer Leverkusen 7-2 away.

Bayern remains the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to have won all 15 matches across all competitions this season. Securing a positive result at Parc des Princes would firmly establish the Bavarian giants as the top favorites for this year’s Champions League title.

The home team at Parc des Princes has not been overwhelmingly dominant domestically but still leads Ligue 1 and has won all three opening matches in the Champions League.

While PSG has been inconsistent in domestic competitions, Bayern continues to show superiority in every tournament they participate in. The Bavarian side keeps winning with standout performances from Harry Kane, Luis Diaz, and Michael Olise.

So far this season, Bayern under coach Vincent Kompany has scored 54 goals in 15 official matches. English striker Harry Kane leads the Champions League scoring charts this season with 5 goals.

Parc des Princes remains a stronghold for PSG, who have won 7 and drawn 1 of their last 8 matches there (their only dropped points was a 3-3 draw with Strasbourg on October 17). However, Bayern has beaten PSG in all 4 recent Champions League encounters, including a 1-0 win in last season’s qualifying round.

Bayern currently boasts an 8-match winning streak away across all competitions, keeping clean sheets in 2 of their last 3 away games and scoring 10 goals in that span.

The showdown between the two top contenders, PSG and Bayern Munich, will take place at 3 AM on November 5th.

Projected starting lineups for PSG and Bayern Munich

PSG: Chevalier, Hakimi, Pacho, Beraldo, Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Dembele, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia

Bayern: Neuer, Boey, Tah, Upamecano, Laimer; Kimmich, Goretzka, Olise, Gnaby, Díaz, Kane

Schedule for the fourth qualifying round of the 2025-2026 Champions League on November 5th

00:45: Napoli - Eintracht Frankfurt

00:45: Slavia Praha - Arsenal

3:00: Tottenham Hotspur - Copenhagen

3:00: PSG - Bayern Munich

3:00: Liverpool - Real Madrid

3:00: Juventus - Sporting CP

3:00: Bodø / Glimt - Monaco

3:00: Atlético de Madrid - Union Saint-Gilloise

3:00: Olympiakos Piraeus - PSV