After a 2-1 Champions League group stage loss against AC Milan, PSG find themselves in a precarious spot with regard to qualification for the round of 16. Centre-back Milan Škriniar opened the scoring for PSG in the ninth minute before Rafael Leão scored the Rossoneri's equalizer just three minutes later. Shortly after the half-time break, Olivier Giroud's goal clinched all three points for Milan, whose victory kept them firmly in contention for a place in the last 16.
While PSG are still in second place in Group F behind Borussia Dortmund, they could realistically fail to qualify for the round of 16 and slip into the Europa League or even be eliminated from continental play altogether. PSG have six points with two matches remaining - just one point ahead of Milan and two ahead of Newcastle United.
In spite of their unprecedented run of Champions League knockout stage futility, at the very least PSG have never failed to qualify for it ever since the Qatari acquisition. This might very well change this season. Having been drawn in this season's Group of Death, PSG are arguably just as likely to lose their last two group stage matches as they are to win them. Such a turn of events would eliminate PSG from the tournament - and given their track record, this certainly cannot be ruled out.
As has always been the case, PSG spent an enormous amount of money on transfers during the off-season. The Parisian club added players including Manuel Ugarte, Lucas Hernandez, Ousmane Dembélé, and Randal Kolo Muani; Gonçalo Ramos also arrived at the Parc des Princes by way of a loan deal from Benfica. What must also be noted, however, is the myriad of exits from the club. PSG attempted to undergo a full-scale overhaul in just one off-season after Neymar, Lionel Messi, Marco Verratti, Sergio Ramos, Julian Draxler, and countless others left the club while new signing Xavi Simons went to RB Leipzig on loan - where he has emerged as a star in the making.
With so many squad changes over such a short time period, some team chemistry issues were naturally to have been expected - but not many could have anticipated it to have been on this level. Throughout this Champions League group stage, PSG have often looked disjointed and incoherent. They have often played more like 11 individuals than one unit - this was once again apparent against Milan.
In a post-match interview, PSG midfielder Vitinha noted that PSG allowed Milan to dictate the tempo of the match, especially in the second half. This has been a common theme of PSG's matches this season - in particular when playing as the away team. What really doesn't help PSG is the fact that their last group-stage match is against Dortmund away. PSG will come face-to-face with the iconic "Yellow Wall" - arguably the most intimidating home stand in world football. Couple that with PSG's propensity for choking under pressure and you have a seemingly shocking elimination waiting to happen.
It would, of course, be a fool's errand to completely write PSG off at this point. On their day they are more than capable of out-talenting any other team on the planet, let alone in this group. They also have by far the group's best player in Kylian Mbappé. On paper, one would expect them to live up to their billing, win out, and top the group.
Yet, it has always felt as though PSG are a step away from disaster - and this has perhaps never felt more true as it does now. The biggest issue at this club goes beyond any player, coach, or even owner - it's a systemic issue. For all their money and their glamorous exterior, PSG fear the spotlight and regardless of personnel have invariably shrunk when the time has come to step up.
If Paris Saint-Germain do get knocked out of the Champions League in the group stage, do not be surprised if they once again attempt an overhaul next off-season - only for it to once again amount to nothing.
No comments:
Post a Comment