Thierry Henry believes the controversial penalty at the end of the first half turned the tide in the back-and-forth match between PSG and Bayern Munich.
PSG's controversial penalty was arguably the turning point of the match.
On the morning of April 29th, the first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League semi-final between PSG and Bayern Munich concluded with a 5-4 victory for the French team, creating one of the most exciting matches of the season. However, from the perspective of legend Thierry Henry, that dramatic scoreline did not fully reflect the true nature of the game.
Speaking after the match, the former French international emphasized that the turning point was the penalty awarded to PSG just before halftime. He argued that the decision to award Alphonso Davies a handball was too harsh.
Henry observed that Bayern Munich was controlling the game and putting intense pressure on PSG's defense. According to him, the German team forced their opponents into a constant defensive stance before the referee interrupted their momentum with a controversial decision.
From the penalty spot, Ousmane Dembele scored for PSG. Henry believes this goal was significant not only in terms of the score but also directly impacted the morale of both teams before the second half. PSG regained their confidence, while Bayern were forced to restart after losing their psychological advantage.
Olise had an excellent game, but it wasn't enough to give Bayern Munich the advantage.
However, the former French star insisted that the standout player of the match was not Dembele, but Michael Olise. Henry showered the Bayern winger with praise after his explosive performance on the right flank.
According to Henry, he has witnessed Nuno Mendes neutralize many of Europe's top attacking stars in recent seasons. The Portuguese defender is renowned for his speed, strength, and one-on-one defensive ability. But in this match, Olise consistently made a difference with his direct dribbling and unpredictable plays.
Henry even remarked that he rarely saw anyone cause Nuno Mendes so much trouble. Olise's dribbling and changes of direction repeatedly created space for Bayern, allowing the visitors to maintain pressure for most of the match.
Despite PSG holding a slender 5-4 lead going into the second leg in Germany, Henry warned the Parisian club that they shouldn't be complacent. He believes that if Olise continues to maintain his current form, Bayern are perfectly capable of turning the situation around. The two teams will face each other again on May 7th at the Allianz Arena.