04/28/26 01:40:00
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04/28 13:11 CDT Midfielder Vitinha starts for PSG against Bayern Munich in
Champions League semifinal
Midfielder Vitinha starts for PSG against Bayern Munich in Champions League
semifinal
By JEROME PUGMIRE
AP Sports Writer
PARIS (AP) --- Vitinha was picked in midfield for titleholder Paris
Saint-Germain against six-time champion Bayern Munich in the first leg of their
Champions League semifinal on Tuesday.
The influential midfielder missed PSG's last two games with a right heel
injury. He was in a three-man midfield alongside Joao Neves and Warren
Zare-Emery. The latter was preferred to he returning Fabin Ruiz, who was only
recently returned from injury.
Bayern lined up as expected with Jamal Musiala in a playmaker role behind
striker Harry Kane, who had 53 goals this season heading into the game in
Paris. Swiss referee Sandro Schrer took charge.
Musiala sustained a broken leg against PSG at last summer's Club World Cup.
Coach Vincent Kompany's Bayern has already clinched a record-extending 35th
Bundesliga championship and is chasing a treble. Kompany was suspended so
assistant Aaron Danks took over on the touchline at Parc des Princes. Bayern
won 2-1 in Paris in the group stage in November with left winger Luis Daz
scoring twice.
Two-time finalist PSG was appearing in its third straight semifinal and Bayern
had not lost in any competition since Jan. 24.
Spanish side Atletico Madrid hosts London club Arsenal on Wednesday in the
other semifinal first leg.
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