Bayern Munich extended their perfect start to the season with a gritty 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes tonight.
The visitors had to overcome a red card to Luis Diaz to make it 16 straight victories in all competitions.
The Colombian winger was both hero and villain on the night, scoring twice in the first half before being sent off for a reckless challenge on Achraf Hakimi just before the break.
His dismissal turned what looked like a comfortable night into a test of Bayern’s resilience, but they held firm under heavy pressure to stay top of the Champions League table.
Bayern’s start was electric. Serge Gnabry’s clever flick released Michael Olise through on goal, and although Lucas Chevalier saved the initial effort, Diaz reacted fastest to lash in the rebound.
The visitors’ intensity caught PSG cold, and their pressing soon forced more mistakes.
Ousmane Dembele thought he had equalised midway through the half, only for VAR to rule him offside.
PSG captain Marquinhos was caught in possession on the edge of his box by Diaz, who pounced to slot in his second of the night with a composed finish.
Bayern were in complete control until stoppage time at the end of the first half, when Diaz lunged into a reckless tackle on Hakimi.
Referee Maurizio Mariani initially showed a yellow card but upgraded it to red after a VAR review.
Hakimi limped off in tears, and PSG sensed an opportunity to turn the tide. The second half became a siege.
PSG dominated possession, pinning Bayern deep inside their half, while Manuel Neuer was called into action to deny Bradley Barcola and Vitinha.
The hosts finally halved the deficit in the 74th minute when substitute Joao Neves acrobatically turned in a cross from Lee Kang-in.
Neves came close again minutes later with a glancing header that flew narrowly wide, but Bayern’s defensive organisation held firm.
Bayern’s players celebrated as though they had won a final at the final whistle. It was another display of their growing steel and a sign that they mean business in Europe this season.
