Atlanta hosts a clash of European giants on Saturday as UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Bayern Munich for a spot in the Club World Cup semifinals.
Fresh off securing their first Champions League title barely a month ago, PSG remain strong favorites for the Club World Cup. Despite facing various challenges, including a group stage loss to Botafogo, Luis Enrique`s side has largely navigated the tournament smoothly, reaching the quarterfinals after a dominant 4-0 victory over Lionel Messi`s Inter Miami.
Bayern`s tournament path has been somewhat similar over their four games. A 1-0 defeat to Benfica, influenced by heavy squad rotation, set up this quarterfinal encounter with PSG. While they showed their capabilities with a 4-2 win against Flamengo in the Round of 16, facing the in-form European champions presents a significantly tougher challenge. This match could be one of the most significant tests yet for Vincent Kompany since he took charge last season, even after guiding the team to their first Bundesliga title in two years.
Match Details
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
TV: TNT
Odds: Paris Saint-Germain +120; Draw +240; Bayern Munich +210
Predicted Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain:
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Achraf Hakimi
- Marquinhos
- Willian Pacho
- Nuno Mendes
- Joao Neves
- Vitinha
- Fabian Ruiz
- Desire Doue
- Ousmane Dembele
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Bayern Munich:
- Manuel Neuer
- Konrad Laimer
- Dayot Upamecano
- Jonathan Tah
- Josip Stanicic
- Joshua Kimmich
- Leon Goretzka
- Michael Olise
- Serge Gnabry
- Kingsley Coman
- Harry Kane
Player to Watch
Ousmane Dembele, Paris Saint-Germain: The Club World Cup`s later stages might offer clues for the Ballon d`Or race, a title Ousmane Dembele is potentially leading. Winning the Champions League recently solidified his contender status, but it`s just one aspect of his strong case. The World Cup winner is having a career-best season, contributing 33 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. He has thrived in a central role within Luis Enrique`s effective tactical setup. His performance will be crucial to watch, particularly against a Bayern defense that has occasionally shown vulnerability against top opposition during Kompany`s initial year.
Storyline to Watch
Is this PSG`s title to lose?: A competitive match is expected in Atlanta, but PSG, much like in the Champions League, are widely considered the team to beat in the Club World Cup. Luis Enrique`s distinct attack-minded press has proven difficult for almost every opponent to handle, with PSG often overwhelming teams from kickoff, especially on the flanks. With players like Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue in top form (among others), Enrique`s PSG appears to be a highly efficient unit. This poses a significant challenge for Bayern, who, in their first year under Kompany, don`t yet seem like a fully finished product. However, they are just one of many teams likely facing this strong PSG side as underdogs.
Prediction
Bayern possesses strengths, notably having one of the world`s top goalscorers in Harry Kane. However, collectively, their squad depth and current form don`t quite match PSG`s. Anticipate the European champions to deploy their characteristic high-intensity strategy and benefit from it, extending their impressive season by at least one more game.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 3, Bayern Munich 1
