Baldaño Column: The Goal Fest Between PSG and Bayern Embodies the True Essence of Football
- 2026-05-02
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May 2nd - Jorge Valdano, Real Madrid legend and Argentine football icon, recently penned a column for Spain's El País, praising the high-scoring thriller between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Bayern Munich, stating that this is exactly what football is meant to be.
The ball zipped back and forth between the two sides, with the lead changing hands repeatedly, before the score climbed to an astonishing 5-4. PSG and Bayern paid the ultimate tribute to football with a clash destined for Champions League history. While the two giants showed exceptional collective cohesion and tactical quality, what truly broke tactical constraints was the pure pride in the players' hearts—almost that of amateur footballers. They played with generosity bordering on recklessness, courage bordering on desperation, and touching sincerity.
By contrast, the tie between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal followed modern football's familiar "standard template": a tactical battle of discipline, confrontation and relentless pressing. Moments of brilliance were a luxury, with only world-class players carving out tiny spaces. The 1-1 draw means another grueling second leg, a conventional formula for elite clubs.
Yet PSG and Bayern's extraordinary clash freed football from mundane predictability. Their unshackled ambition let players revisit their childhood love for the game, unburdened by complex tactics, playing to express themselves and enjoy every touch. It was a wild ambition too, a primal connection between players and the ball, with every challenge and shot fought as if it were their career's last moment.
Every player strived to entertain the crowd, delivering a unique spectacle. As a neutral observer, I watched calmly, savoring every minute—unlike the bittersweet experience of supporting a single team. Georgian prodigy Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's lightning runs and Colombian Luis Díaz's surprising power stood out, while Vitinha and Joshua Kimmich offered masterful midfield performances.
I am ashamed of my past doubts that football would grow dull due to over-reliance on data and rigid tactics. This game defined true sporting integrity: it elevated competition through fearless ambition, reminding us that no risk means no magic, and no courage to break free means no historic classics.
Today, such extraordinary performances are increasingly rare. This 5-4 thriller was an epic, one of life's rare classic matches. PSG and Bayern, a rising powerhouse and a historic giant, silenced suspicion with captivating football. The upcoming second leg may not match this brilliance, but the game has awakened football's soul: courage to break free reignites fans' passion.
To the players of PSG and Bayern: "Take it easy, lads. You've done your job, teaching us all what real football is."
