Paris Saint-Germain fans encountered a significant hurdle on their journey to the Allianz Arena for the crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich. A planned departure from the Fröttmaning metro station at 17:30 was thrown into disarray when smoke detectors activated at the Dietlindenstrasse station, causing a complete blockage of the metro line.
The incident left the main group of supporters stranded six stations away from their intended stop. While police managed the situation at Fröttmaning, where a few ticketless fans held up signs seeking entry, the bulk of the traveling contingent was delayed. Despite the disruption, the fans maintained their spirits, singing in the carriages as they waited for the issue to be resolved.
Upon finally reaching the stadium vicinity, the supporters' march proceeded without major incident. The atmosphere in Munich's city center was notably subdued in the hours leading up to the high-stakes match. Terraces were calm, and conversations were hushed, with only a handful of chants emanating from a bar on Rosenstrasse where a small group of ultras attempted to liven the mood.
The journey itself had been an ordeal for many. Members of the Collectif Ultras Paris (CUP) had embarked by coach from the Parc des Princes on Tuesday evening, crossing the border the following morning after undergoing extensive searches by local authorities. Other fans, like Camille and his cousin Nathanaël from Sarcelles, had a smoother trip, driving overnight and crossing the border without any problems.
Expectations among the traveling support were mixed. Some, like Camille, hoped for an open, attacking spectacle with intense pressing from both sides. Others, such as Flo and Max, seasoned supporters from Toulouse and Nice, expressed more measured concern. They acknowledged the need for PSG to weather an early storm from Bayern, referencing the first-leg scenario, but remained hopeful their team could cause problems for the German giants.
With kickoff approaching, the primary challenge for the Parisian ultras shifted to simply securing their places inside the Allianz Arena. After overcoming the metro chaos and a long journey, their focus was on ensuring they did not miss a minute of what they considered the match of the year. Based on reporting from Foot - actualités, mercato, info & vidéo en continu.