Prolific PSG Looks a Formidable Side Ahead of Liverpool Showdown

Photo : Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is ready for a big Champions League match against Liverpool. Many people thought PSG would not be strong after Kylian Mbappe left the club. But now, they are playing very well, and those worries are gone. When Mbappe decided to join Real Madrid, people asked how PSG would perform without their top player. Even coach Luis Enrique said last season that the team needed "four, five, or six new players" to stay strong.

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At that time, PSG had just won both the French league and the cup. They also reached the Champions League semi-finals in Luis Enrique’s first season as coach. Mbappe was the star, scoring 44 goals that season.

After he left, PSG spent a lot of money to bring in new players. Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Willian Pacho, and Matvey Safonov joined the team. But they did not sign a big goal-scorer to replace Mbappe. Instead, they trusted the players they already had. At first, this looked like a mistake because PSG struggled in the Champions League group stage.

In their first five games, PSG only scored three goals. They lost to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich. These results put them in danger of getting knocked out early. Their new striker, Randal Kolo Muani, also struggled and was not playing well.

But in the last three months, PSG has been fantastic. They have not lost any of their last 22 matches in all competitions.

They have also improved a lot in the Champions League. PSG has won their last five games in the tournament, scoring 21 goals. They scored 10 goals over two matches against Brest in the play-off round.

Their performance in France is also amazing. They beat Lille 4-1 in their last match, making it 10 wins in a row. PSG has not lost a single match in the French league this season. A French newspaper, L’Equipe, described their last game as "ruthless and brilliant."

Some people now think this PSG team is the best in the club’s history since the Qatar owners took over in 2011. That is a big statement because PSG has had famous players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe.

Club captain Marquinhos, who has played for PSG since 2013, said that the team’s success is because of teamwork. "We play together as one team. It took time to get here. We got better step by step, but we still need to improve," he said.

One of the most important players this season is Ousmane Dembele. He used to be a winger who was exciting but not very good at scoring. Now, he is one of the best goal-scorers in Europe. He has scored 26 goals this season, with 21 of them coming in the last 16 matches since mid-December. Last season, when he played next to Mbappe, he only scored six goals.

Another player doing well is Bradley Barcola. Last season, he only scored five goals. This season, he already has 17.

PSG’s team is now settled, and all their players are fit. But one question remains—who will play in the front three against Liverpool?

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who joined from Napoli in January, is still getting used to the team. That means young player Desire Doue might get a chance. The 19-year-old can play as a winger or in midfield. He has been compared to Neymar because of his skill. Since mid-December, he has scored or assisted 16 goals.

Even though PSG is playing well, Luis Enrique knows that Liverpool will be a tough opponent. Liverpool was the best team in the league phase and is one of the strongest teams in Europe this season.

"Our team is in great form," said the coach. "But we are playing against the best team in Europe. They were brilliant in qualifying. But we do not play defensive football. We always attack and try to win."

For many years, PSG has struggled in big Champions League games. Many times, they have lost matches when the pressure was high. But this season, they look different.

Can PSG finally prove they are one of the best teams in Europe? Their match against Liverpool will give the answer.