Kompany’s Bayern put to the test by champions PSG | OneFootball

Bayern Munich are gearing up for a pivotal showdown against Paris Saint Germain at the Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with both sides vying for a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals. According to Bavarian Football Works and FCBInside, the fixture is set for 12:00 PM local time on Saturday, and both managers are expected to deploy their strongest lineups in what is billed as a key test of Bayern's evolving identity under Vincent Kompany.

Having edged past Flamengo in the round of 16, Bayern approach this tie as slight underdogs against the newly crowned European champions, PSG, who lifted the Champions League title in Munich just over a month ago. While Bayern did prevail 1-0 in a narrow group phase win over PSG—Kim Min-jae's header making the difference—a lot has shifted in both squads since then.

Bayern’s lineup will see little change from the side that beat Flamengo. Manuel Neuer anchors the team in goal, protected by a back four of Josip Stanisic, Dayot Upamecano, Jonathan Tah, and Konrad Laimer. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic are set to marshal midfield duties, with Kingsley Coman, Jamal Musiala, and Michael Olise supplying support for Harry Kane at the tip of the attack. Musiala is in line for his first start of the tournament.

On the PSG side, coach Luis Enrique faces an unwanted selection dilemma. Midfielder Fabian Ruiz is a major doubt after missing training due to a mild viral illness, as reported by RMC Sport. If Ruiz is deemed unfit, the expected adjustment would see Warren Zaire-Emery enter midfield alongside Vitinha and Manuel Ugarte or Neves, disrupting the Parisian’s preferred trio at a crucial juncture. PSG's defence should remain unchanged, with Gianluigi Donnarumma backed by a line of Nuno Mendes, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, and Achraf Hakimi, while the attacking setup is tipped to include Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola.

This meeting carries the undercurrents of recent tension, as the two clubs have exchanged narrow victories on big occasions, and both sets of players are fully aware of what is at stake. Bayern’s squad remains at full strength, a welcome boost amid a summer of swirling transfer speculation and ongoing uncertainty around defensive mainstays like Kim Min-jae.

For both sides, the Atlanta tie offers more than just a route to the semi-finals; it's a measure of progress for Kompany’s Bayern, whose rebuilt side came through the group unbeaten, and a test of PSG’s depth and tactical flexibility under pressure, especially with potential midfield disruption.

A decision on Ruiz will be made close to kickoff. With the match promising intensity and fine margins, Saturday’s fixture is set to illuminate how far Bayern’s new-look side can push Europe’s elite.

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