Saturday features a high-profile Club World Cup match in Atlanta as UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Bayern Munich for a place in the semifinals.
Fresh off their recent Champions League victory, PSG remain strong contenders for the Club World Cup title. They navigated the tournament`s challenging group stage, despite one loss to Botafogo, primarily with ease. Luis Enrique`s side reached the quarterfinals after a dominant 4-0 win against Lionel Messi`s Inter Miami.
Bayern`s path through four games has been somewhat similar. A 1-0 loss to Benfica with a rotated squad set up this quarterfinal encounter with PSG. They demonstrated their strength with a 4-2 victory over Flamengo in the round of 16. However, facing the in-form European champions presents a significantly tougher challenge. This match is potentially one of the most rigorous tests Vincent Kompany has faced since taking over as manager last season, despite leading the team to their first Bundesliga title in two years.
Here`s the essential information for the match:
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
As the Club World Cup progresses, the performances here could influence the Ballon d`Or race. Ousmane Dembele is a prime candidate. His recent Champions League win solidifies his position, but it`s just one highlight of his exceptional season. The World Cup winner has had a career-best year with 33 goals and 13 assists across competitions, thriving in a central role under Enrique. He`s definitely a player to watch, especially against a Bayern defense that has shown vulnerability against top teams in Kompany`s first year.
Storyline to watch
One key question is whether this tournament is PSG`s to lose. While a competitive match is expected, PSG are widely seen as the favorites, similar to their status in the Champions League. Enrique`s distinctive high-pressing, attacking style has been challenging for most opponents to handle, with PSG often overwhelming teams from the start, particularly in wide areas. With players like Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Desire Doue in top form, Enrique`s PSG operates like a highly efficient unit. This poses a significant test for Bayern, who, in Kompany`s first year, haven`t yet appeared to be a fully cohesive team. However, many teams would likely be considered underdogs against this iteration of PSG.
Prediction
Bayern certainly has strengths, most notably having one of the world`s top goalscorers in Harry Kane. However, the collective strength of PSG appears superior. Expect the European champions to deploy their signature high-intensity strategy and reap the benefits, extending their successful season by at least one more match. Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 3, Bayern Munich 1
