The champions of France and Germany will collide in the Champions League on Tuesday when Paris Saint-Germain face Bayern Munich in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Parc des Princes.

PSG are hoping 2023 is the year where they end their long wait for the Champions League trophy, while the Bavarians are dreaming of being crowned champions of Europe for the seventh time.

It has been a rough 2023 for Paris Saint-Germain, who have already lost four times since the turn of the year and head into this UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash on the back of consecutive defeats for the first time in 11 months. PSG boss Christophe Galtier conceded that he is “worried” about this first leg with his squad ravaged by injuries to the likes of Verratti, Messi and Mbappé, yet the former two are expected to return to the squad.

As far as UCL matchups go, there are not many teams better acquainted than PSG and Bavarian giants Bayern Munich. This will be the sixth UCL meeting across the last six years (PSG: W2, L3) and if the Parisians’ competition form is anything to go by, this will be entertaining! Galtier’s men are the only remaining side in the knockouts yet to keep a clean sheet, but to their credit they have scored in all but one of their last 32 UCL home games.

After being knocked out of the Coupe de France by Marseille, Christophe Galtier’s side were aiming to return to winning ways when they travelled to the principality to face Monaco on Saturday, but as it transpired, PSG returned to the capital empty-handed following a dismal 3-1 defeat with all four goals arriving in the first half.

The Parisians still boast a healthy five-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table, but losing two straight games is far from an ideal way to prepare for a European meeting with Bayern Munich – a side they lost to in the 2020-21 Champions League final.

The perennial German champions usually fare well at this stage of the competition, having progressed from the last-16 in nine of the last 10 seasons, including their last three European campaigns.

Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:

WWDDWW

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):

WDWWLL

Bayern Munich Champions League form:

WWWWWW

Bayern Munich form (all competitions):

DDDWWW