Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich will go head-to-head in a blockbuster Club World Cup quarter-final today at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with both sides vying for a place in the final four of the tournament.
The match is a rerun of last season’s Champions League group-stage encounter, where Bayern edged a 1–0 win in Munich. But this time, the stakes are higher and the PSG side awaiting them looks way more dangerous.
Kick-off is at 5 p.m. Moroccan time (GMT+1) and fans can catch the action live on the DAZN website and app.
PSG enter the tie on the back of a commanding 4–0 demolition of Inter Miami in the last 16, a performance that underlined why they remain among the favourites for the title. Joao Neves struck twice, with Moroccan Achraf Hakimi adding a fourth after an own goal from Tomas Aviles.
PSG have lost just once in their last 15 matches and are operating with the highest possession and passing stats in the tournament, while also boasting the best defensive record.
Enrique is expected to field a largely unchanged side. Ousmane Dembélé returned from injury as a second-half substitute against Miami but may not be risked from the start. Bradley Barcola, Desire Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are likely to retain their places in attack, while Marquinhos and Fabián Ruiz, both withdrawn at half-time last time out for preservation, should return to the starting XI.
PSG’s recent record against Bayern is far from flattering. The French champions have failed to score in their last four meetings with the Bavarians, losing each of them. But the narrative may shift, with Enrique’s side currently playing some of their most coherent and confident football in recent years.
Bayern Munich, meanwhile, arrive in Atlanta having seen off Flamengo 4–2 in the last-16 tie. Harry Kane added two more goals to take his season tally to 41, while Leon Goretzka and an own goal from Erick Pulgar helped end Flamengo’s 11-match unbeaten run. Though their group-stage campaign ended in disappointment with a narrow 1–0 defeat to Benfica, Vincent Kompany’s side showed signs of recovery and intent in the knockout clash.
Bayern’s numbers remain impressive. They are joint-top scorers in the competition with 16 goals and lead in pressing metrics, including the most high turnovers and one of the highest totals for final-third passes. But injuries have forced some reshuffling. Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito are still sidelined, and while Kim Min-jae is nearing fitness, he is unlikely to feature. Leroy Sané has departed for Galatasaray, while Kingsley Coman is expected to recover from a muscle issue in time to be in contention.
This could also be a farewell match for club legend Thomas Müller, who is set to leave Bayern at the end of the tournament. Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise and Serge Gnabry will battle for the creative roles behind Kane, who continues to deliver at a prolific rate.
Predicted Lineups:
PSG(4-3-3): Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes – Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves – Barcola, Doue, Kvaratskhelia
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer – Laimer, Tah, Upamecano, Stanisic – Kimmich, Goretzka – Olise, Musiala, Coman – Kane
Score Prediction:
PSG have the form, momentum and a clear sense of identity under Enrique. Bayern, however, have the history and a forward line capable of punishing any lapse. With Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund awaiting in the semi-finals, both sides will know there is little room for error.
Recent head-to-heads may favour Bayern, but this version of PSG is sharper, faster and more tactically mature. Expect goals at both ends, but Enrique’s men should have enough to advance.
MWN says PSG 2–1 Bayern Munich
