by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Former Germany international Stefan Effenberg is expecting a tight UEFA Champions League semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, predicting the tie could be decided only after extra time in the second leg on May 6.
"It's that close," the 57-year-old said, adding that PSG holds an edge in defense, while Bayern has the advantage in goal with Manuel Neuer.
Effenberg said Bayern also has the upper hand in midfield through Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic, while the attacking lines are closely matched, with a slight edge for the German side.
"As for me, Harry Kane is the man to decide," he said, noting the England captain's 12 goals and three assists in 11 Champions League matches this season.
Kane, who has scored 53 goals in 45 games across all competitions, said Paris would pose a greater challenge than Bayern's quarterfinal opponent Real Madrid.
"Paris will be much more effective in these situations; we mustn't give away too many balls," he said, stressing the importance of counter-pressing and careful distribution.
Bayern has won nine of the last 15 meetings between the sides, with PSG claiming six victories, but Kane said the French champion is now "at the highest possible level in Europe."
Bayern's hopes rest not only on its attack, featuring Michael Olise, Luis Diaz and Kane, but also on a collective team effort.
"That we leave everything on the pitch and work as a team. That will be the key," sporting director Christoph Freund said.
Bayern will be without injured players including Serge Gnabry, while coach Vincent Kompany is suspended for the first leg and will be replaced on the touchline by assistant coach Aaron Danks.
Kompany, who must remain in the stands with no contact with the bench permitted during the match, downplayed his absence.
"You can't start with comeback qualities and resilience in advance of crunch time. That is growing over a season, and it did for us," he said.
"Paris is one of the best you can get, but we are ready for that." ■
