Crucial question for Kompany: Can you fit in a washing basket like Mou?

The Champions League campaign has entered its final stage, and the time has come for a new clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich - their 10th in this century, third in the last over the past nine months, and the second most important ever.

The first is, of course, the 2020 final, when PSG's child, Kingsley Coman, stunned his boyhood club and won the UCL title for the Bavarians.

Thanks for everything and - goodbye!

So far, the two rivals have met in the group stage, the Round of 16, quarter-finals, and the trophy match of the elite European competition, but never in the semi-finals. Tonight, they'll break the ice.

In general, the Bundesliga side has been more successful, as they won seven out of the aforementioned 10 duels - the last one in the current campaign's league phase, 2-1 in Paris.

Nevertheless, one of the key differences compared to the match from last November will be the absence of the Bavarians' boss Vincent Kompany, as the Belgian is suspended for the accumulated yellow cards and won't be able to guide his team from the touchline.

In the pre-game press conference, reporters recalled Jose Mourinho's famous attempted deception from 21 years ago, when the then-Chelsea manager tried to sneak into his team's locker room by hiding in a washing basket.

The Belgian had an answer ready.

"I'm 1.92 meters tall. I can't fit in a washing basket," Kompany said via ESPN.

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He also gave credit to the Saints and praised the reigning European champions, stating that his team has the same dreams.

"I think the title holders are always in the right ​to claim some things, but I hope next season I will be in the position to say ​the same."

"We fight for this title that PSG conquered already and they deserve all the praise, and when they see it that way then I don't have to add anything. But we want to be in that position and we want to have what they ​have," the 40-year-old tactician said via Reuters.

Nevertheless, he optimistically responded to the question about stopping the Parisians' lethal trident, Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Ousmane Dembele, pinpointing his team's attacking trio.

"I can give you another ​question. What are they going to do with our strikers? So it goes both ways," the Belgian boldly stated.

In the end, as crucial as tonight's clash can be, there's still a return leg in Munich in eight days, which Kompany won't miss. However, the outcome of the duel at Parc des Princes can greatly influence the strategist's mood on his return to the bench.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - SEMI-FINALS

First leg

Tuesday

22.00: (2.35) PSG (4.05) Bayern (2.80)

Wednesday

22.00: (3.00) Atl.Madrid (3.25) Arsenal (2.60)

***odds are subject to change***