Bayern Munich travel to reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the Champions League, a fixture that promises to reveal where the German side truly stand among Europe’s elite this season.
Bayern have made an extraordinary start, winning all 15 of their matches across all competitions, setting a new record for the best start in the top five European leagues. Their dominant form has fuelled dreams of Champions League glory, but a trip to the Parc des Princes will provide a stern assessment of their continental credentials.
The Bavarians’ start has been historic, surpassing a record set by AC Milan in the 1992-93 season. In Wednesday’s 4-1 German Cup victory over Cologne, Bayern were only behind for five minutes. Domestically, they have defeated every team from second to fifth place in the Bundesliga, alongside triumphs over Club World Cup winners Chelsea.
Under coach Vincent Kompany, Bayern have displayed fluid attacking football, with England captain Harry Kane emerging as the standout performer. Kane, who helped Bayern lift the Bundesliga last season, has already scored 22 goals in 15 games across all competitions. With the absence of Jamal Musiala, Kane’s creative influence has been vital. Kompany has often deployed him as a number 10, allowing him to drop deep even to defensive midfield, demonstrating both tactical flexibility and his importance to the side.
Bayern’s relentless form has been maintained even through squad rotation. On Saturday, Kompany rested Kane, wingers Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, and central defender Dayot Upamecano for a league match against Bayer Leverkusen, a team Bayern had not beaten in the league since 2022. Despite the rotation, Bayern were 3-0 up by half-time, with Serge Gnabry and Chelsea loanee Nicolas Jackson among the scorers.
“We’ve won 15 games, that’s good. But it has to continue — it’s not enough yet,” Kompany told fans at Bayern’s AGM on Sunday. “I promise we will do everything to give you a successful season.”
PSG Dominating in Europe
Like Bayern, PSG often dispatch their domestic rivals with ease and are measured by their European performances. Last season, the Parisians finally captured the Champions League, defeating Inter Milan at Bayern’s Allianz Arena to claim their first continental title.
This season, PSG have yet to dominate Ligue 1 but have saved their best for the Champions League. With three games played and three wins, PSG sit top of their group, one point ahead of Bayern. They have recorded victories at Barcelona, a resounding win over Atalanta, and a 7-2 thrashing of Leverkusen away from home.
“Two top teams are meeting each other,” said Bayern sporting director Max Eberl. “We’re going there, we’re still unbeaten at the moment. We want to keep it that way.”
The clash promises to be a defining encounter in the group stage, pitting Bayern’s record-breaking momentum against PSG’s European pedigree. Both sides will be eager to assert their dominance and set the tone for the remainder of the campaign.