International reaction to semi-final spectacle: 'Football of the demigods'

Despite the 5-4 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final at Paris Saint-Germain, there was plenty of praise for FC Bayern in the media following a feast of football. fcbayern.com rounds up the press reaction from Germany and across the world.

Reaction from German media

Kicker: “Bayern avoid disaster in Paris. PSG and Bayern Munich produced a breathtaking battle in the Champions League semi-final first leg – with the better outcome for PSG. After a historic first half, though, the Munich team proved their comeback qualities having fallen 5-2 down after the break.”

Sky Sport: “Brilliant moves, passionate tackles, chance after chance – and nine goals. This was more than an early final. It was a match for the history books. One of the most intense, exciting and best there’s been at the top European level in recent years.”

Spiegel: “Thought you’d seen it all in football? Never a game like this! FC Bayern lost a wild first half against PSG, but fought back from three goals down. Ninety minutes that felt like a revelation, as if someone had hit the fast-forward button on the remote.”

Süddeutsche Zeitung: “The dicovery of football unleashed!”

Reaction from international media

L’Équipe (France): “After 10 minutes of feeling out, PSG and Bayern Munich delivered an end-to-end contest that developed into a prodigious battle of astonishing intensity and technical quality.”

Le Monde (France): “Paris emerge victorious from an epic semi-final first leg at Parc des Princes. The first act of the heavyweight clash between Luis Enrique’s side, the reigning Champions League winners, and Bayern, one of the best teams in Europe, lived up to expectations on Tuesday with nine goals.”

Le Parisien (France): “After a legendary semi-final, Paris can continue to dream of greatness. Tuesday night’s first leg at Parc des Princes provided a spectacular and breathtaking spectacle.”

The Guardian (England): “Has there ever been a game of football quite like this? There were nine goals in Paris, the most ever in a Champions League semi-final first leg. The end result was a largely arbitrary 5-4 lead for PSG going into next week’s return. Most remarkable was the nature of the spectacle itself, which felt like football of the demigods, a startling combination of unceasing fine point craft, and constant attacking thrust.”

Telegraph (England): “A slugfest between two teams boasting irresistible collections of talent. Nine goals traded, and weight added to the argument that this would have been a great final.”

The Sun (England): “PSG win ‘Game of the Century’. THIS should have been the final – thank God it is not and we get to do it all again next week.”

This is what Bayern had to say on the game at PSG:

As (Spain): “A match for the history books, an epic battle and an attacking show from the two best teams in Europe made the clash between PSG and Bayern an unforgettable spectacle, which will be remembered for decades to come as one of the most exciting semi-finals in the Champions League.”

Marca (Spain): “This encounter was seen as an early final and it didn’t disappointing whatsoever. PSG and Bayern delivered a spectacle like nothing seen in this season.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport (Italy): “PSG and Bayern, you are awesome! Magical moments, shots against the post and nine goals in the match of the year.”

Corierre dello Sport (Italy): “One of the most spectacular Champions League games of all time.”

Tuttosport (Italy): “A match that will go down in Champions League history: a semi-final with nine goals and countless other great moves. PSG defeated Bayern Munich 5-4 and ensured a fully open second leg.”

Kurier (Austria): “Will it be as spectacular as the quarter-final classic between Bayern and Real? And could we see the hoped-for final of the Champions League? Both questions can be answered with one word after the semi-final first leg in Paris: yes!”

Kronenzeitung (Austria): “PSG and Bayern deliver an epic Champions League night. Football doesn’t get more attractive.

Blick (Switzerland): “What more could the football heart desire? This match was unadulterated, sheer madness! Probably one of the best of all time!”

The analysis of the semi-final first leg: