Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has described his side’s dramatic 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich as the most thrilling match of his managerial career, following a pulsating Champions League semi-final first leg.
In a contest already being hailed as a modern classic, PSG overturned early setbacks to claim a narrow advantage ahead of the return leg in Munich, in what became the highest-scoring semi-final clash in decades.
“I have been managing for more than 15 years, and I have to say it was the most exciting match,” Enrique said after the encounter. “It was amazing, probably the best I have ever managed.”
The game exploded into life early, with Bayern twice taking the lead in a frenetic first half. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot, only for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to respond with a composed finish.
Further goals from Joao Neves and Michael Olise kept the contest finely balanced, as both sides traded blows in a breathtaking attacking display.
A controversial moment followed when PSG were awarded a penalty after Bayern defender Alphonso Davies was adjudged to have handled a cross from Ousmane Dembele. Dembele stepped up to convert, giving the French champions a 3-2 lead heading into the break.
The second half saw PSG surge into what appeared to be a commanding 5-2 advantage, putting them on course for a comfortable aggregate lead. However, Bayern responded with resilience, pulling two goals back to keep the tie alive ahead of the decisive second leg.
The nine-goal spectacle has drawn widespread acclaim, with pundits describing it as one of the most entertaining European fixtures in recent memory. It marked the first time both teams scored at least four goals in a major European semi-final, and only the second such occurrence in a Champions League knockout match since the famous 4-4 draw between Chelsea and Liverpool in 2009.
Former England captain Alan Shearer summed up the mood, saying: “I can’t stop smiling at how open and bonkers this game is.”
With the return leg set for Munich, the tie remains finely poised, as Bayern look to overturn the deficit while PSG aim to finish the job and secure a place in the Champions League final.
