PSG and Bayern offer a spectacle of footballing madness

BarcelonaIt looked like an early final and, seeing how the first leg of the semifinals went, the prognosis made perfect sense. Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich put on a show of footballing madness in a memorable match at the Parc des Princes. The Parisians took a minimal lead into next week's return leg at the Allianz Arena, but that's not the main story of the duel, rather the goal-scoring machine running at full throttle in the nets of Safonov and Neuer, who conceded a total of nine goals after 90 minutes that felt like many more.

Vincent Kompany's team entered the match much better, and he watched the show from the stands due to accumulated suspensions. A clear penalty by Pacho on Luis Díaz was converted by Harry Kane in the 17th minute. A small, deserved lead for Bayern, who had more chances to widen the initial gap. But PSG, the reigning continental champions, managed to find spaces behind the German defense, which was positioned very close to the offside line. Thus, in the 24th minute, Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for Luis Enrique's side with a run that ended with a shot into Manuel Neuer's far post. Before halftime, three more scratches. One from the visitors, from the electric Olise, who connected an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box, and two from the home team, courtesy of Neves from a corner and Dembélé, who converted a penalty awarded at the VAR's request.

The goal-scoring voracity of the first half did not slow down in the second. In fact, in a few minutes of true madness, PSG managed to pull three goals ahead (5-2). In the 54th minute, Kvaratskhelia scored again against Neuer in a great play orchestrated by Vitinha, a colossal midfielder, and former Madrid player Achraf Hakimi, who once again exploited the space behind the Bayern defense. And in the 56th, Dembélé once again showed why he will be among the contenders for the Ballon d'Or. A brace from the Mosquito, who under Luis Enrique is delivering his best version. But Bayern did not back down. On the contrary, they insisted on staying alive in the tie. The reward was almost immediate. In the 65th, Upamecano sent a dangerous cross from Kimmich into the net, and three minutes later Luis Díaz beat Safonov with the suspense of an offside call overturned by VAR.

With more than twenty minutes left, it was not unreasonable to expect the scoreline to continue to widen, but PSG put on their work clothes to protect their lead against an opponent who earned their right to reach a five-goal haul. Everything will be decided in Munich. Let nothing stop the party.