Key Takeaways
- Luis Enrique described the 5-4 victory as the most intense match he has ever experienced in his career
- Paris Saint-Germain will take a one-goal advantage to the Allianz Arena for the decisive second leg
- The match featured nine goals and dramatic momentum swings between both sides
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique admitted he felt exhausted despite watching from the touchline after his team defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 in a breathtaking UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. The Spanish coach stated he had never before managed a match with such intensity.
“I am tired even though I haven’t run like the players,” Enrique told reporters following the dramatic clash. He added that any result would have been fair, saying, “We deserved to win, we deserved to draw, and we also deserved to lose.”
The Bundesliga visitors started strongly at the Parc des Princes. Harry Kane converted from the penalty spot to give Bayern an early advantage, and Michael Olise nearly doubled their lead shortly after. However, PSG responded with fierce determination. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia curled a superb strike into the far corner before João Neves headed home from close range to put the French side ahead.
Olise scored again to level the match, but a disputed penalty allowed Ousmane Dembélé to restore PSG’s lead before half-time. The home team dominated immediately after the interval, with Kvaratskhelia completing his brace in the 56th minute and Dembélé adding his second goal just two minutes later.
Bayern refused to surrender despite trailing 5-2. Dayot Upamecano reduced the deficit before Kingsley Coman struck to create a tense finale. The match ended 5-4, giving PSG a slender advantage to defend when they travel to Munich for the return fixture next week.