Bayern vs. PSG: Cancelo only on the bench, guests with Messi – Mbappé

One of the most anticipated Champions League semi-finals is once again around the corner. Tonight Bayern Munich and PSG will face off for a place in the quarter-finals. What will be the starting line-ups?

Bayern

Munich have a fairly clear line-up, which Julian Nagelsmann has honed in recent games. They will again rely on a 3-2-4-1 system, which will prevent winter signing João Cancelo from joining the squad.

The Portuguese is primarily a flanker and cannot play stopper. But Alphonso Davies and Kingsley Coman are solid at halfback.

In goal, Yann Sommer is the number one, while Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano and Mathijs De Ligt will start in the midfield. Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka have their places as the two shield midfielders.

The offensive four will start with Alphonso Davies – Jamal Musiala – Thomas Müller – Kingsley Coman. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is expected to start again at the top, although Sadio Mané has already come off the bench twice after a long injury and will be ready for the second half.

Bayern’s probable line-up:

Sommer
Stanisic – Upamecano – De Ligt
Kimmich – Goretzka
Coman – Müller – Musiala – Davies
Choupo-Moting

PSG

Nothing changes in goal for PSG either, Gianluigi Donnarumma is the number one. Paris media expect Christopher Galtier to opt for a 5-3-2 formation.

Marquinhos, who injured his rib muscle over the weekend, should start at stopper but trained with the team on Monday and Tuesday without any problems. Sergio Ramos and Danilo will start alongside him.

Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes will have very important roles at halfback. It is their duels with Davies and Coman that can co-decide the whole match.

Marco Verratti, Fabián Ruiz and Vitinha should make up the central trio. The whole lineup hasn’t even been that important yet, the key is the top two. Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi will be the ones that the whole of PSG will be relying on and trusting that these two will come up with something.

PSG’s likely line-up:

Donnarruma
Hakimi – Marquinhos – Ramos – Danilo – Mendes
Vitinha – Verratti – Ruiz
Messi – Mbappé

Source: UEFA, Der Kicker, L’Equipe