UEFA Champions League 2022-23: Paris Saint-Germain vs Bayern Munich: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The prestigious European football is back after almost four months, with the first leg of the round of 16 clashes to start this week.

Bayern Munich takes on Paris Saint-Germain in the first game of the round of 16 fixtures of the Champions League. The German Champions will make their way to the Parc Des Princes, to play the first of the two legs this Tuesday. We can expect a cracker in store when these two giants lock horns with some much at stake.

The Parisians have enjoyed their time in the Champions League this season. Despite coming second in their group, Galtier’s men were pretty impressive to watch and had a different amount of confidence whenever it came to Europe’s elite competition.

Though PSG’s recent form in the league has been terrible, and they have also crashed out of the Coupe De France last week. This is a team that cannot be underestimated under any circumstances, and has what it takes, to beat a tough team like Bayern.

Bayern Munich is another club that has a different kind of pedigree when it comes to European football. They are very well one of the toughest teams you can imagine facing on the European stage as they can very well destroy you with their furious attacking and stiff pressing.

Their journey in the Champions League this season has been perfect, as they have won all six of their group-stage matches, defeating tough teams like Bayern and Inter on two different occasions. The Bavarians are also in a pretty great run of form, as they have registered a win in all of their last three games.

Kick-off: Tuesday, 14-02-2023, 8:00 pm (GMT). Wednesday,15-02-2023 01:30m (IST)

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions): L-L-W-W-D

Bayern Munich form (all competitions): W-W-W-D-D

Players to watch

Paris Saint Germain

Neymar Jr.

With Kylian Mbappe already set to miss Tuesday’s game due to an injury, and Messi also emerging as a doubtful prospect, a lot of eyes will be on Neymar, and the fans would be expecting that the Brazilian delivers on this demanding stage, especially with the kind of form he has been in this season.

Bayern Munich

Joao Cancelo

Bayern’s newest signing Joao Cancelo has had a great start with the club. Despite having played only two games so far for the Bavarians, Joao already seems to understand the team as well as Nagelsmamn’s plans. His presence in the team on Tuesday will be immense, and we can all expect a lot of good things from the Portuguese.

Match Facts

• The last times these heavyweights clashed, was in the Quarter Finals of the 2020-21 Champions League season, as PSG won the two-legged tie on away goals.
• FC Bayern have reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the 15th year in a row.
• PSG have scored 16 goals in the Champions League this season, whereas Bayern have netted 18.

Team and Injury News

PSG are missing some key players for the all important clash against Bayern, with the biggest of the being Messi, who is in a delicate situation ahead due to a hamstring injuryAlong with Messi, Achraf Hakimi is another player who is speculative, but can feature in Tuesday’s game.

The guaranteed absentees for the Parisians are Kylian Mbappe, Nordi Mukiele and Renato Sanches.

As for Bayern, Sadio Mane, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Neuer, Ryan Gravenberch  and Lucas Hernandez make up the list of injured players, whereas Dayot Upamecano returns to the team after recovering from his injury.

Head-to-Head stats (in all competitions)

Matches – 11

Paris Saint Germain– 6

Bayern Munich– 5

Draws – 0

Predicted Lineups

Paris Saint-Germain predicted lineup (3-4-2-1):

Donnarumma; Hakimi, Ramos, Marquinhos, Mendes; Verratti, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha; Ekitike, Soler, Neymar

Bayern Munich predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Sommer; Cancelo, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Sane, Müller, Musiala; Choupo-Moting

Match Prediction

This is surely going to be a very very feisty game, and both teams will be looking to go into the second leg with an advantage. We can very well see a strategy By Bayern, in which they just sit back and try to resist PSG, with a plan of getting the job done in the second leg.

PSG have a great team, but the absence of Messi and Mbappe, and also their poor form, will cost the team dearly, and they will fail to make it to the Allianz Arena with an advantage, as Bayern will disappoint Paris with a 2-1 win.

Prediction: PSG 1 -2 Bayern Munich

Telecast

UK - BT Sport

US - Paramount+

India - Sony Sports Network, JIO TV and Sony LIV

Nigeria -  SuperSport 3