Pafos FC’s fairy-tale journey continues as the Cypriot champions, fresh off their first-ever domestic title in the 2024–25 season, prepare for their biggest test yet, a UEFA Champions League clash against European powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Softfootball understands that their debut on the grand stage wasn’t short of drama. Against Olympiacos, the 11-year-old club earned their first UCL point after holding the Greek giants to a goalless draw in Piraeus. It was a gritty, backs-to-the-wall display from Pafos, who had to play more than two-thirds of the game with ten men after Bruno Felipe saw red in the 26th minute.
Facing 18 shots and waves of pressure, they somehow held firm; such situations cannot repeat themselves. Bayern are a team firing in all cylinders, especially Harry Kane, who recently just scored his 100th goal for the team in their 4-nil thrashing of Werder Bremen.
That hard-fought draw didn’t just earn them a point; it made a statement. Pafos showed heart, structure, and defensive steel, traits that had already guided them past Maccabi Tel Aviv, Dynamo Kyiv, and Red Star Belgrade during qualification. In fact, they’ve now kept four clean sheets in their last six European outings not bad at all for a side new to the big time.
Confidence is brewing in Cyprus, too. The 0-0 in Greece kicked off a four-match unbeaten run across all competitions (W3, D1), scoring seven and conceding just one. But holding off Olympiacos is one thing… stopping Bayern Munich is another story entirely.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern arrive in full swing and momentum on their side. They’ve started the season flawlessly, eight wins out of eight, scoring a jaw-dropping 30 goals in the process. Their UCL campaign began with a statement 3-1 victory over Chelsea, with Harry Kane once again at the heart of everything.
However, for all their dominance, Bayern weren’t invincible on the road last season. In the 2024/25 group stage, they lost three of four away matches, a stat Pafos might just cling to for belief.
This will be the first-ever meeting between Pafos and Bayern, though history doesn’t smile kindly on Cypriot teams facing German opposition. Out of 49 previous encounters, Cypriot sides have won only once (D8, L40). Bayern, on the other hand, have scored 31 goals in just six matches against Cypriot clubs and won all of them.
If there’s a reason for hope, it lies at home. Pafos have lost just once in their last 11 European home games (W8, D2). They’ve also shown late resilience two of their three European home ties this season featured equalisers after the 80th minute. That never-say-die spirit might come in handy here.
Still, Bayern’s record against debut opponents in the UCL is frightening: unbeaten in their last 15 such games (W14, D1). To make matters tougher, they’ve scored in both halves of every single match this season.
Bayern Munich posted an image on their official X account indicating their readiness for the next UCL adventure.
They Posted:
Players to Watch
For Pafos, forward Jajá could be a key figure at both ends. He led all players in duels won (9/20) against Olympiacos and has a knack for rising in European nights four of his last seven goals have come on continental duty.
For Bayern, Harry Kane remains unstoppable. His brace against Chelsea moved him past all other Englishmen in UCL goal involvements (42 goals, 11 assists). The Englishman’s movement and clinical touch will test Pafos’ defensive line to the limit.
Team News
Pafos will be without Bruno Felipe, suspended after his red card on Matchday One.
Bayern, meanwhile, travel without Josip Stanišić, who picked up an injury in the win over Chelsea.
Softfootball’s Prediction
Bayern’s firepower looks overwhelming on paper, but this is football and Pafos have already shown they can defy logic. If they stay compact and ride their luck, they might just make it nervy for the visitors.
Still, the gap in quality feels too wide. Expect goals, plenty of them.
Prediction: Pafos FC 1–4 Bayern Munich
A brave effort from the Cypriots, but Bayern’s class should shine through eventually.
