VINCENT KOMOANY FUMES AT 'RIDICULOUS' HANDBALL CALLS THAT LED TO BAYERN'S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

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Vincent Kompany unleashed a blistering attack on the officiating after Bayern Munich’s Champions League dreams were ended by Paris Saint-Germain. The Belgian tactician watched his side fall to a 6-5 aggregate defeat at the Allianz Arena, but the post-match talk was dominated by two massive handball calls that went against the Bavarian giants.

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Vitinha smashes ball against Neves' arm

Bayern Munich’s elimination from the Champions League semi-finals following a tense 1-1 draw on the night was overshadowed by a series of controversial decisions. With a spot in the final against Arsenal on the line, the tension boiled over as the German side felt they were denied clear advantages.

The most debated moment arrived when Vitinha’s attempted clearance struck the outstretched arm of teammate Joao Neves inside the PSG box. Despite the Bayern players surrounding referee Joao Pinheiro in protest, no penalty was awarded. The decision stood because the current Laws of the Game protect players from handball calls when the ball is struck onto them by a teammate from close range, provided no immediate goal is scored. It was a bitter pill for Bayern to swallow, especially given the soft penalty they conceded in the first leg.

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Kompany hits out at 'ridiculous' handball rule

The Bayern Munich manager did not hold back after seeing his side dumped out of the competition, questioning the "common sense" of the officials monitoring the high-stakes clash.

“We have to look at some of the phases that were decided by the officials across the two games which… it’s never an excuse for everything but it matters,” Kompany said in his post-match assessment. “If we look at both legs probably too much went against us. The guys gave everything and we tried against a fantastic PSG team. [Joao Neves’] hand is in the air, it hits it. Because it’s from his own teammate it’s not a penalty. But if you look at both [situations], a little bit of common sense and it’s just ridiculous. Whatever needs to happen but it’s ridiculous. It doesn’t tell the whole game but it’s a one-goal game in the end.”

Nuno Mendes escapes red card

Kompany’s frustration was heavily compounded by an earlier flashpoint involving PSG defender Nuno Mendes, when the Portuguese international appeared to handle the ball deliberately to stop a Bayern attack. Already on a yellow card, Mendes seemed destined to be sent off. Instead, the referee awarded a free-kick to the visitors for an earlier infringement.

It was a moment that left the home crowd incensed. Bayern were already chasing the game against 11 men after Ousmane Dembele had given PSG the lead after just 141 seconds, and they firmly believed they deserved a numerical advantage. Commenting on the incident, Kompany suggested the official bottled a monumental decision: “I felt he pulled out because he realised he already gave him a yellow and he didn’t want to send him off for that.”

- Muhammad Zaki

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN VS BAYERN MUNICH [5-4] - CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL FIRST LEG 2025/2026 - TACTICAL ANALYSIS

Paris Saint-Germain hosted Bayern Munich for the first leg of the 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League semi-final at Parc des Princes.

Widely gaining popularity as one of the most entertaining games in football history, this fixture had it all, with the hosts edging past their competitors with a 5-4 win.

PSG and Bayern have two of the most ruthless attacking trios in Europe this season, as evidenced by the quality, speed, and effectiveness of their attacking moves on the night.

Both sides, on several occasions, opened up their opponents with ease, which made for a nerve-wracking game overall.

Through this tactical analysis, we aim to discuss Paris Saint-Germain’s and Bayern Munich’s approach to the game, areas both sides struggled in, and find out where Bayern can hurt PSG in the second leg.

Paris Saint-Germain Vs Bayern Munich Lineups & Formations

Let's look at how Luis Enrique and Vincent Kompany fielded their squads.

PSG Lineup Vs Bayern Munich

PSG played in a 4-3-3 formation.

Matvey Safonov started between the sticks.

The back four were Achraf Hakimi (right-back), skipper Marquinhos (right centre-back), Willian Pacho (left centre-back), and Nuno Mendes (left-back).

The latter was replaced by Lucas Hernández (84’).

João Neves, Vitinha, and Warren Zaïre-Emery were the midfield three.

The latter was substituted by Fabián Ruiz at the 64th minute.

Désiré Doué (right) and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (left) were the two wingers, with Ousmane Dembélé as the striker.

Bradley Barcola came on for Doué (70’) and Senny Mayulu for Kvaratskhelia (84’).

Bayern Munich Lineup Vs PSG

Bayern played in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Skipper Manuel Neuer started in goal.

Josip Stanišić (right-back), Dayot Upamecano (right centre-back), Jonathan Tah (left centre-back), and Alphonso Davies (left-back) were the back four.

Konrad Laimer replaced the latter at 46 minutes.

Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlović played as the double pivot.

The latter made way for Nicolas Jackson (90’ +3).

Michael Olise (right) and Luis Díaz (left) were the two wingers, with Jamal Musiala as the attacking midfielder.

Musiala came off for Leon Goretzka (79’).

Harry Kane played as the lone striker.

Paris Saint-Germain & Bayern Munich Style Of Play

PSG and Bayern share similar identities in their approach to the game.

Both sides are brilliant examples of total football, showcasing frequent positional rotations both in and out of possession.

An example: Vitinha, a centre-midfielder, operates in the wide channel.

He attracts multiple opponents before moving the ball to the half-space.

Meanwhile, the winger moves into the half-space.

For Bayern, Kane frequently dropped deep into midfield to offer an additional option for progression.

Whenever the centre-backs followed him, other teammates exploited the space higher up the pitch.

This was the case with Bayern’s defenders as well.

During a build-up situation for PSG, both Bayern centre-backs (Upamecano and Tah) follow an opponent each deep into the mid-third, while Stanisić also follows an opponent in the half-space.

With defenders from both sides jumping in this manner, there were multiple instances when they delayed the opposition’s progression or even won the ball.

However, there were also scenarios where the opponent bypassed the pressure and went straight to a counterattack.

- Vedant Kharakwal

WHY FIVE PSG SUPERSTARS WILL MISS BALLON D'OR CEREMONY BUT OUSMANE DEMBÉLÉ COULD STILL ATTEND

Five PSG stars who have been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or are set to miss the ceremony tomorrow, but the favourite, Ousmane Dembele, could still attend the event.

The Ballon d’Or ceremony is set to take place tomorrow evening at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris.

With such a prestigious event taking place, only one game in Europe’s top five leagues was originally scheduled to take place tomorrow – Napoli vs Pisa.

However, PSG’s clash with Marseille has been pushed back to Monday night, meaning that it now clashes with the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The game was originally supposed to take place on Sunday, but has been postponed due to weather conditions in the south of France.

PSG boss Luis Enrique had already named his squad to take on Marseille and it featured five players who have been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or.

Providing that Enrique doesn’t change his squad for Monday, here are the five PSG players who are set to miss the Ballon d’Or ceremony, in order to play against Marseille.

Achraf Hakimi

The Moroccan full-back was named in Enrique’s squad to face Marseille and will be forced to miss the Ballon d’Or ceremony this year.

During 2025-26, he’s featured in all four of PSG’s league matches and will be needed on Monday night when they face their bitter rivals.

Given the campaign that he had last season, the right-back is expected to pick up plenty of votes and could potentially place in the top 10.

Nuno Mendes

Like Hakimi, Mendes would’ve originally planned to attend the Ballon d’Or event in Paris on Monday. However, his services will be needed in Marseille instead.

It’s the first time that the Portuguese star has ever been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, but he won’t get the chance to attend the event this year.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Kvaratskhelia had one hell of a season in 2024-25 and his Ballon d’Or nomination came as no surprise.

He technically won two league titles, having played a role in Napoli winning Serie A and PSG winning Ligue 1.

After playing a starring role in PSG’s Champions League triumph last season, Kvaratskhelia is expected to place in the top 10 this year.

Fabian Ruiz

Ruiz has established himself as a key performer for both PSG and Spain in recent years and his Balllon d’Or nomination came as no surprise.

His agent, Rodolfo Odrie, even thinks that the Spaniard would be a worthy winner of the award this year.

“It would be justified,” Odrie told L’Equipe when commenting on Ruiz and his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or.

“He’s won almost every competition he’s played in over the last two years. With PSG, he’s won everything. He’s an indisputable starter for club and country, with a very high level of performance and irreproachable individual behavior.

“I know that with his personality, the fact that he doesn’t like to put himself forward, he doesn’t always get the consideration he should, but it would be unfair not to think of him, given everything he’s achieved.”

Vitinha

Of all of the PSG players who are set to miss the ceremony on Monday, Vitinha is expected to place the highest.

He was integral to PSG’s success in Europe last season and his triumph with Portugal in the Nations League added another feather to his cap.

In our Ballon d’Or power ranking, we’ve placed Vitinha fourth, although some have suggested that he could finish in the top three. Watch this space.

- Ben Stewart

FULL PSG SQUAD TO TAKE ON ARSENAL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE S MI-FINAL REVEALED

Senny Mayulu, Bradley Barcola and Warren Zaire Emery walk on the pitch for a Paris Saint-Germain training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League 2024/25 semi final match at Emirates Stadium. (Image: Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)

The latest Arsenal news as the Gunners host PSG in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium.

Paris Saint-Germain have revealed their full 22-man squad for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.

The Gunners host the French Champions at the Emirates Stadium tonight (Tuesday, 8pm kick-off) as both teams look to take an advantage into the second leg of the tie. A final in Munich, Germany against either Barcelona or Inter await the winners.

For Arsenal, they will be hoping for a repeat of the quarter-final against Real Madrid. Mikel Arteta ’s men took a 3-0 lead into the second leg, with the side completing the job at the Bernabeu with a 5-1 aggregate score.

Ahead of the game, PSG have been handed a clean bill of health in terms of injuries. There are no notable absentees for the squad selected by manager Luis Enrique.

Included in the 22-man list are three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders and five forwards.

Here is a look at the full squad that has been selected by the club, along with the squad numbers they will be wearing for the game.

Full PSG squad vs Arsenal

1 Gianluigi Donnarumma

2 Achraf Hakimi

3 Presnel Kimpembe

5 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

8 Fabian Ruiz

9 Goncalo Ramos

10 Ousmane Dembele

14 Desire Doue

17 Vitinha

19 Lee Kang-In

21 Lucas Hernandez

24 Senny Mayulu

25 Nuno Mendes

29 Bradley Barcola

33 Warren Zaire-Emery

35 Lucas Beraldo

39 Matvey Safonov

49 Ibrahim Mbaye

51 Willian Pacho

80 Arnau Tenas

87 Joao Neves

- Amie Wilson

PSG SET NEW EUROPE’S TOP 5 LEAGUES RECORD FOLLOWING AWAY DRAW TO NANTES

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PSG have set a new record across Europe’s Top 5 leagues this Tuesday on the back of their away draw to relegation-fighting Nantes. The contest between Antoine Kombouaré’s Les Canaris and Luis Enrique’s unbeaten Ligue 1 champions was previously postponed to allow Les Parisiens more time to recover between the first and second legs of their Champions League quarter-finals against Aston Villa.

At La Beaujoire, Portuguese midfielder Vitinha opened the scoring for the visitors. In the second half, Nantes rallied and restored parity courtesy of Douglas Augusto. With Stade de Reims, Nantes are the second Ligue 1 team not to record a defeat at the hands of Luis Enrique’s invincible steamrolling PSG. Les Parisiens are still on course for a quadruple, having already won Trophée des Champions. PSG will face Reims in the Coupe de France final, as well as Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. PSG’s season will even extend as they will take part in next summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

Further honours may await PSG. However, they have already rewritten the history books. Indeed, thanks to their away draw to Nantes, Les Parisiens have set a new record across Europe’s Top 5 leagues. Tonight’s result was their 39th consecutive unbeaten league game away from Parc des Princes, beating Fabio Capello’s Milan’s 38-game unbeaten streak in 1993. AS Monaco are the last team to beat PSG in Ligue 1 away from Paris. It was more than two years ago.

 - GFFN | Bastien Cheval

EURO 2024: CRISTIANO RONALDO SAYS PORTUGAL SAYS PORTUGAL 'DESERVE' TO WIN

Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal in the 2024 European Championship. Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

 Cristiano Ronaldo said that Portugal's current generation of players deserves to win the 2024 European Championship.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, Paris Saint-Germain's Vitinha, and Manchester City pair Bernardo Silva and Rúben Dias are among the high-profile players in the Portuguese team aiming to win this year in Germany.

The five time Ballon d'Or winner said: "I believe that this generation deserves to win a competition of this magnitude. Semifinals? I hope we can go further.

"We have to go step by step, live in the moment, be calm, work as well as we have until now, believe that it is possible. We know it's a short competition, but the team is ready."

Ronaldo will compete in a record sixth European Championship in Germany, alongside two other members of the current squad -- Pepê and Rui Patrício -- who were a part of Portugal's Euro 2016 winning squad.

"I enjoy football, records are a consequence, not a goal, they appear naturally," he said.

"It's my sixth European Championship, it's about enjoying it in the best possible way, playing well and making sure the team can win."

This will be his first tournament under coach Roberto Martinez, the former Belgium manager.

Portugal play Czech Republic in their Group F opener on 18 June before fixtures against Turkey and Georgia.

In Portugal's 3-0 warm-up win against the Republic of Ireland, the 39-year-old scored twice, increasing his men's international goals record to 130.

"It's getting off to a good start which is essential," Ronaldo said.

"I feel ready, I've prepared myself for this competition."

Despite playing in five European Championships, Ronaldo still feels the thrill of the competition.

"Anxiety is always there, that tingling in your stomach, especially the day before the game," he said.

"I'm glad I feel it, when I don't feel it, it's better to give up and stop. I feel motivated and prepared. I see the team quite calm."

- Adriana Garcia

XAVI: 'DISASTER' OF A REFEREE KILLED BARCELONA'S UCL HOPES

Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández was left furious by the referee's performance in his team's loss to PSG. FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images

 Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández fumed about the decision to send Ronald Araújo off as his side were eliminated from the Champions League after Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain at the Olympic Stadium.

Xavi said Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs was a "disaster" and that showing a red card to Araujo for a last-man challenge on Bradley Barcola with Barça leading 1-0 on the night in the 29th minute, 4-2 on aggregate, killed the quarterfinal.

A Kylian Mbappé brace and goals from Ousmane Dembélé, on his return to Barcelona, and Vitinha saw PSG turn the tie around, sealing a 6-4 aggregate win and setting up a semifinal against Borussia Dortmund.

"We are annoyed," Xavi said. "The red card marked the tie. We were well organised 11 vs. 11. It completely changed everything. For me, it's too much to send [Araújo] off there.

"The referee was really bad. I told him, he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don't like speaking about referees but it has to be said. I don't understand it.

"It's not good going down to 10 players and from that point on it's another game. For as much as we speak [about the match], the red card marks everything."

Xavi was also sent off in the second half for protesting the decision not to give a penalty for a Marquinhos challenge on Ilkay Gündogan, with goalkeeping coach Jose Ramon de la Fuente also dismissed as Barça lost their cool.

"That was an error by me, it was my fault," added Xavi, accepting responsibility for his expulsion.

Barça came into Tuesday's game with a 3-2 lead from the first leg. They opened up a two-goal advantage in the tie when Raphinha turned home in the 12th minute after brilliant work from Lamine Yamal.

However, the game swung just before the half-hour mark when Araújo received his marching orders after being adjudged to have pulled Barcola to the ground as he ran through on goal just outside the box.

Dembélé and Vitinha scored either side of half-time to draw PSG level in the tie, with Mbappé nudging them ahead from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after João Cancelo fouled Dembélé.

Barça missed chances to level on aggregate before Mbappé sealed the win on the counter-attack in the 89th minute.

"We had the chance to equalise with [Gündogan] hitting the post and could even have made it 2-0 before the red card with [Robert Lewandowski's] shot which went just over," Xavi added.

"It's just a shame that the hard work of an entire season ends because of one refereeing decision. I would have liked it to be 11 vs. 11 for the whole game. It's an unnecessary red."

PSG coach Luis Enrique said he believed his side would have progressed to the semifinal even if Araújo had stayed on the pitch.

"I don't speak about referees," he said. "I have not seen it back, I just saw it live. In my time as a coach, I have never judged referees. I focus on what I can control.

"We started the game really well and the feeling when they score, after a brilliant piece of play from Lamine Yamal, is a bit like the first leg. We didn't deserve to lose last week and we didn't deserve to be behind tonight.

"But the faith and the belief from the players was exceptional. From there we grew into the game. Obviously the red card is a factor, but you still have to know how to play these games and not make mistakes.

"I honestly think without the red card, we still win, although I can't prove that."

It was a tricky night for Luis Enrique in other ways as he returned to the club he played for and later coached, winning the LaLiga, Copa del Rey and Champions League treble as Barça manager in 2015.

He was also in charge of Barça when they mounted a comeback against PSG by beating them 6-1 in 2017. Tuesday's win represented the first time the French side have ever progressed in the Champions League after losing the first leg, although Luis Enrique wouldn't pick between the two comebacks.

"The best feeling in football is making fans happy," he said. "That is unmatchable. I wouldn't choose between the two comebacks. I just hope this serves for more than 2017 [when Barça lost in the next round] and that we make the final now.

"Honestly, it has been so difficult to play against Barça, though, sentimentally and emotionally. I hope I don't have to face them many times in my career."

PSG will turn their attention back to Ligue 1 this weekend. They travel to Lyon with a 10-point lead at the top of the table, while they also have the French Cup final to come as they target a treble.

Barça, meanwhile, travel to the Santiago Bernabeú to face Real Madrid in El Clásico. They need to win to keep their slim title hopes alive, with Madrid eight points clear and seven games to be played.

- Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent

WHY BARCELONA CAN ONLY BLAME THEMSELVES AFTER IMPLODING VS. PSG

Barcelona came into the second leg tie against PSG with a one goal lead, but lost 6-4 on aggregate after going a man down and falling apart. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

 Barcelona's wait for a first Champions League semifinal appearance since 2019 goes on after Xavi Hernández's side imploded against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday following Ronald Araújo's first half sending off at the Olympic Stadium.

Barça were leading 1-0 on the night, 4-2 on aggregate after last week's first leg win in Paris, when Araujo lightly bundled Bradley Barcola down just outside the area in the 29th minute. The referee quickly branded a red card, and with it Barça's hopes of reaching the last four disappeared as quickly as Barcola had dropped to the deck, with the game ending 6-4 on aggregate.

PSG's comeback was led by Ousmane Dembélé on his return to Barcelona. He left Barça for France last summer in a transfer worth €50 million and fierce whistles greeted his every touch. He could afford a smile when he equalized just before half-time, converting Barcola's cross to get his side back in the tie. It was just the third goal he has scored this season -- two of them have come against Barça in the last week.

Barça may pin their collapse on being down to 10 men, but the truth is they made PSG's route back into the game easy. Vitinha was left unmarked on the edge of the box from a corner in the 54th minute. He duly smashed in to the bottom corner and then, just after the hour mark, João Cancelo clattered into Dembéle inside the box. Kylian Mbappé, anonymous in the first leg, dispatched the resulting penalty to give PSG the lead in the tie.

The home side did have chances to level, but they came and went, with Mbappé adding his second goal on the counter-attack in the 89th minute to seal PSG's passage into the semifinal as flares were set off in the away end in the second tier behind the goal where he had just scored.

If that was the end to this frenetic tie, it is unlikely to be the end to the developing rivalry between the two clubs. Manager Luis Enrique was in the Barça dugout in 2017 when they beat PSG 6-1 to overcome a 4-0 first leg deficit. Now he has helped PSG overturn a first leg defeat in the competition for the first ever time. Before the game, he had said he was convinced that would be the case.

In between those two comebacks, PSG have taken Neymar, Lionel Messi and Dembéle from Barça, while they also hammered the Catalans at Camp Nou when the two sides met in 2021 in the last 16, Mbappé netting a hat trick on that occasion. All of those factors have added an edge to this fixture and it was apparent here, with the extra police presence palpable and supporters chanting their dislike for each other throughout the day in the city all the way up to the stadium in Montjuic.

When 16-year-old Lamine Yamal roasted Nuno Mendes in the 12th minute to set up Raphinha, it looked like the travelling supporters would finally be silenced. Barça were unbeaten in 13 games coming into this match, dating back to Xavi's January announcement that he will step down when the season ends. They have kept six clean sheets in a row in LaLiga. With a two goal advantage, it looked like tie over.

Robert Lewandowski blazed a chance to add another goal for Barça over the bar before the game swung definitively just before the half hour mark. Araujo was adamant he had not fouled Barcola. The touch was light, but it existed and it is not the sort of decision VAR often intervenes in.

How Barça reacted to losing a man is what will haunt them. Iñigo Martínez came on for Yamal, limiting their counter attack ability, and PSG set up camp in the final third.

Xavi said about going a man down: "We are annoyed. The red card has marked the tie. We were well-organised 11 v 11. The referee was really bad. I told him, he was a disaster. He killed the tie. I don't like speaking about refs but it has to be said. I don't understand it."

Dembélé's goal just before the break bred confidence and PSG poured forward at the start of the second half. Marc-André ter Stegen was almost caught out by a skidding effort from Achraf Hakimi, Fabián Ruiz shot wide and then, finally, Vitinha made it 2-1 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate. The penalty soon followed as Barça, who conceded two goals in three minutes in the first leg, once again lost their bearings.

Once behind, they did rally. There was a penalty shout turned down on Ilkay Gündogan, which led to a fuming Xavi being sent off for protesting and kicking a barrier on the sideline, before goalkeeper coach José Ramón de la Fuente also received his marching orders. The anger felt as much about a loss of control of the match as it did the decisions on the pitch.

Still, Gianluigi Donnarumma had to save from Lewandowski, with Marquinhos preventing Ferran Torres from tapping in the rebound, and then Raphinha dragged a cross-shot just wide as Barça's European campaign faded out.

In the 88th minute, Dembélé was whistled off, and a minute later, Mbappé sealed PSG's passage to the semifinal. The French side will meet Borussia Dortmund in the last four as they continue their bid to win a maiden Champions League trophy.

Barça, meanwhile, head to Real Madrid for El Clásico on Sunday. With Madrid eight points clear at the top of LaLiga, anything but a win would now effectively end their hopes of silverware this spleason.

- Sam Marsden, Barcelona correspondent

MBAPPÉ'S SCORES AS PSG OVERCOME LE HARVE DESPITE DONNARUMMA'S !

AP Photo 

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain had no problem beating Le Havre 2-0 to extend its lead at the top of the French league standings on Sunday despite playing for more than 80 minutes with 10 men after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was sent off for a reckless tackle.

Goals from Kylian Mbappe and Vitinha ensured a seventh consecutive league win for Luis Enrique's team. PSG has a four-point cushion at the top after second-place Nice was handed its first loss this season on Saturday, a 1-0 defeat at Nantes.

Le Havre got off to a strong start with several good moves but lacked accuracy to inflict any damage. The hosts produced 22 shots, but only seven of them were on target.

Donnarumma was sent off following a reckless foul outside his box. The Italy goalkeeper came out of the area as he tried to clear a long ball with a very high tackle, but instead made contact with Le Havre forward Josue Casimir's face.

Referee Bastien Dechepy showed him a red card and Bradley Barcola made way for substitute goalie Arnau Tenas, who was happy to keep a clean sheet on his debut.

“It’s wonderful," he said. "I’d like to thank everyone for this opportunity, it’s an incredible day today. The team was strong for every minute played, and I was able to stop the opposition’s shots.”