Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1:14 p.m. / Updated Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 1:16 p.m.
Bixente Lizarazuthe former left-back, title winner with France at WC 1998, then European champion in 2000 and with Bayern of the Champions League in 2000-2001, said that the first leg of the semi-final at the “Parc des Princes” was not a game of defenders.
He won 14 trophies with the Bavarian side, including six Bundesliga titles and the Champions League, and was delighted with what he saw in PSG's 5-4 Bayern 5-4 League semi-final first leg. The nine goals, including some football works of art, the phenomenal executions, the misses and the gala atmosphere in Paris impressed Bixente Lizarazu.
Lizarazu: The first half was like a boxing match. It was fantastic for the show, but there were some naive moments as well.”
“We weren't far away from witnessing the match of the year! As for Bayern, Vincent Kompany's choice to attack and expose himself was key. The first half was truly a boxing match.
Michael Olise, right, shaking hands with Luis Diaz, photo: Guliver/gettyimages
Blows were exchanged. In the second half, it may have been time to slow down, but Bayern continued to take risks.
Sure, it was fantastic for the show, but there were also some pretty naive moments given PSG's strengths and the talent of Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé. At 5-2, I thought it was over (no – for Bayern), but they found the resources.
“Paris created a storm in the opposition half. But Bayern showed tremendous mental strength and came back”
After such a storm, who can come back like this? They showed great mental strength at a time when PSG were struggling physically, because they had problems closing the match,” said the former world champion in the interview published by L'Equipe.
Lizarazu continued his analysis: “Each team took the shots but managed to fight back. The intensity was very high. We witnessed a particularly balanced game, even if the second half was a bit paradoxical.
We suddenly went into a storm and Bayern found themselves leading 2-5. But at a time when Paris were incredibly comfortable, Bayern came back.
We saw what Luis Enrique's team is capable of: creating a storm in the opposing half. But Bayern showed extraordinary mental strength.”
“With so much talent, anything really can happen at the Allianz Arena. It will be up to Bayern to take the initiative”
Asked by the French how he sees the second leg, Lizarazu replied: “At the Allianz Arena, Bayern will do everything possible to create an unbearable atmosphere for the opponents. They have to be more careful in defense, because they have suffered a lot.
Ousmane Dembele / Photo: Instagram
Then, offensively they are capable of doing so much damage… We will see the scenario but with so much talent anything can happen. It will be up to Bayern to take the initiative. This bodes well for PSG given their counter-attacking style.
Their attackers are very, very strong, they know how to be lethal. I also notice that PSG were not as dominant in midfield as usual.
They no longer had total control over the pace of the match. I will repeat the words of Luis Enrique: what will make the difference will definitely be the defense”.
