The stark reality facing Liverpool after PSG cause Champions League deja vu
And this is the story of how holders PSG overcame Liverpool once more to book their place in the final four…
Déjà vu all over again for Liverpool, eliminated by the French champions for a second successive season, but this time without the drama of penalties or the sense of what might have been. A Paris rematch brought the same scoreline as last week, another 2-0 win. Ousmane Dembele, who got an Anfield winner last season, added a brace. Compared to last year, the margin of victory was bigger as Paris Saint-Germain secured a semi-final against Real Madrid or, more probably, Bayern Munich. This trophy may remain in their grasp for another year.
Liverpool can reflect on the damage done in Paris last week though the broader conclusion might be that, after £450m of spending, they have slipped further away from the European elite. They finished third in the league phase this year but they have rarely looked plausible winners of the competition. PSG, 11th in a large league table, are in the last four, their blend of defiant defending, electric attacking and midfield finesse looking them a class apart from the English champions.
Bayern Munich knock out Real Madrid in Champions League epic
A reminder of how Bayern got to this stage…
Less than three minutes after Madrid substitute Eduardo Camavinga had been sent off, Diaz drilled home his side’s third equaliser before Olise struck in stoppage time to clinch a 4-3 win on the night.
The victory extended Bayern’s unbeaten run to 16 games in all competitions and sealed a 6-4 aggregate triumph, a first over the Spanish giants in a two-legged tie since 2012.
When is PSG v Bayern Munich?
The match kicks off at 8pm BST on Tuesday April 28 at the Parc des Princes.
How can I watch it?
It will be shown on Amazon Prime Video. New customers to Amazon can take out a free Prime subscription for 30 days; after that, it is £8.99 per month. You can also sign up for just Prime Video for £5.99 per month.
Possible line-ups
PSG XI: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Bayern Munich XI: Neuer; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Luis Diaz; Kane
What is the team news?
Bayern will be without Serge Gnabry for the rest of the season and Lennart Karl is a doubt. Vincent Kompany also made several changes on Saturday but turned to the likes of Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Jamal Musiala when the second-string were 3-0 down at half-time to Mainz. Bayern promptly won 4-3, with Kane, Olise and Musiala all scoring.
What is the team news?
PSG have no reported injury concerns, but Luis Enrique was able to rest several of his starters for the 3-0 win at Angers on Saturday. Osmane Dembele, Khivha Kvaratskheila, Desire Doue, Joao Vitinha and Marquinhos were rested completely and are all set to return.
Good evening
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of tonight’s Champions League semi-final first leg between Bayern Munich and PSG.
This tie pits two of the favourites against each other, with the winner taking a place in the final in Budapest on 30 May.
And we’ll have all the latest build-up- team news and updates right here.
