Bayern Munich Faces Champions League Semi-Final Without Another Key Player as Gnabry Absence Looms Against PSG

Bayern Munich will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final without two key players, as confirmed by multiple sources ahead of the first leg scheduled for 28 April 2026 in Paris.

The German champions will be without winger Serge Gnabry, who has confirmed he will miss the remainder of the season due to a strained adductor muscle sustained during training ahead of Bayern’s match against VfB Stuttgart. Gnabry’s absence also puts his participation in the upcoming World Cup in jeopardy, as reported by ESPN and confirmed by the player himself.

Adding to Bayern’s challenges, head coach Vincent Kompany will not be on the touchline for the first leg after receiving a suspension. The former Manchester City defender was booked during Bayern’s 4-3 victory over Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena for protesting a decision involving Kylian Mbappe’s goal, which was allowed to stand despite Bayern defender Josip Stanisic going down injured. Kompany’s frustration led to a yellow card for his actions toward the fourth official, resulting in a touchline ban for the semi-final first leg.

Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, face their own fitness concerns ahead of the tie. Midfielder Vitinha was substituted early in the club’s league match against Olympique Lyon on 19 April 2026 after landing awkwardly on his right foot during an aerial challenge. The 26-year-old Portugal international limped off without his boot and was unable to put weight on his foot. PSG manager Luis Enrique replaced him with Warren Zaire-Emery in the 39th minute, with the club trailing 0-2 at the time.

The full extent of Vitinha’s injury remains unclear, leaving his availability for the Champions League semi-final uncertain. The first leg is set for 28 April at the Parc des Princes, with the return fixture scheduled a week later at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

Bayern Munich entered the semi-finals after overcoming Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, securing a 2-1 aggregate advantage despite losing the second leg 3-2. Goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane in Madrid gave Bayern the edge, although they briefly lost the lead before Pavlovic and Guler responded, with Kane ultimately restoring Bayern’s advantage. Mbappe’s goal for Real Madrid levelled the aggregate score, but Diaz and Olise struck late to send Bayern through.

PSG entered the semi-finals as Ligue 1 leaders, though their 1-2 loss to Lyon on Sunday reduced their lead at the top of the table to just one point over RC Lens. Despite the domestic setback, the French champions remain in contention for a historic treble, having already secured the Coupe de France.

With both clubs dealing with significant absences, the Champions League semi-final promises to be a tightly contested tie, with tactical adjustments likely to play a crucial role in determining which side advances to the final.