PSG on the brink of greatness by reaching another Champions League final

Munich — Paris Saint Germain A team on the brink of greatness, a status that only serial winners can claim as their own. Arsenal Next month’s Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary, could prevent them from reaching that summit, but inside the Emirates they might not believe it.

After last week’s epic drama at the Parc des Princes, when Luis Enrique’s side faced off in an incredible semi-final first leg Bayern Munich In a 5-4 win, the reigning European champions finished the job 1-1 A 6-5 aggregate win at the Allianz Arena.

But the scoreline, not acceptable by Bayern why harryIts stoppage time equalizer, you fool. After taking the lead in the third minute Ousmane Dembele following Khavicha covertsakheliaWith its left flank bursting, PSG controlled the game and could have scored five goals again, just as they did in their last trip to the Allianz against Inter Milan in last season’s Champions League final.

– Liveblog recap: PSG defeated Bayern in the second leg
– Feedback: Arsenal got the ticket to the Champions League final

It was only poor finishing that prevented the French side from inflicting a humiliating defeat on Bayern. Yes, the Bundesliga The champions had their chance — most of them declined Jamal Musiala — but there was no sense that a PSG defense led by captain Marquinhos was ever going to allow a repeat of the sloppy defending of the first leg.

The stats show it was an even contest, with PSG having 15 to 18 shots with Bayern, but there are times when the numbers don’t tell anything like the real story. Bayern had missed shots, hopeful punts and the occasional clear opening, but every time PSG attacked, they exposed the home side’s defense and should have been ruthless. They were like a cat playing with a mouse, knowing they could end the competition when they chose and that should worry Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ahead of the May 30 final.

PSG is now a level above all other clubs in the world. This semi-final was considered the real final due to Bayern’s impressive run to this stage, but Luis Enrique’s side went through it without really feeling threatened in Wednesday’s second leg. They’re the closest thing we’ve seen to a modern-day dream team BarcelonaIts legendary side Lionel MessiXavi and Andres Iniesta. PSG can isolate teams, they can subdue them and they can defend — not that you’d know it from the first leg.

Since the start of last season, no player has been involved in more goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League than Dembele (16), while Kvaratskhelia is second on the list with 15 goals. Georgia The winger, arguably the best player not to qualify for this summer’s World Cup, became the first player to score or assist in seven consecutive knockout stages in the same season. only Kylian Mbappé Most goals have been involved in the competition this season (16).

Arsenal will have to find a way to stop Kvaratshelia in Budapest somehow as he is the talisman of Luis Enrique’s team. But Dembele, desire And Bradley Barcola Quite dangerous too.

The Gunners are strong in midfield Declan Rice, Martin Jubimendi And Martin Odegaard risked chasing a night shadow the following month Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves And Bitinha.

Arsenal’s forward line (whatever that is Kai Havertz or Victor Gaikeres (start-up front) is nowhere near as strong as Bayern’s front three, Kane. Luis Diaz And Michael OllisAnd they were all kept quiet in Munich, until Kane’s late strike, without the injured right-back by the PSG defence. Ashraf Hakimi. (Warren Zaire-Emery (There were some nervous moments as a stand-in, usually used to playing in central midfield, but held firm against Diaz.)

You can make a case for the goalkeeper Matvey Safonov PSG’s weak link – he has certainly fallen short of last season’s number one, Gianluigi Donnarumma — and Arsenal will target the Russia international at set pieces. Yet this could be a very one-sided final if Arteta’s side rely solely on scoring from corners and free kicks.

Ironically, PSG don’t even employ a set-piece coach. Arsenal have done well for theirs, Nicolas Xavier’s influence, but Luis Enrique says his side are playing differently, with the ball on the ground and passing patterns designed to isolate the opposition.

only one team, Real MadridThe Champions League has defended the title since the competition was reformed in 1992 — Zinedine Zidane’s side won three in a row between 2016 and 2018 — but PSG can now emulate the Spanish giants this season. They have one of the best coaches in Luis Enrique, who has already won it twice with Barca and PSG, and the team is now playing with the utmost confidence and maturity that all great teams display.

The experience of last season’s win over Inter will also play in their favor against an Arsenal side with none of PSG’s track record and Arteta a coach who has won just one major trophy — the 2020 FA Cup — as a manager.

Anything can happen in the final Chelsea As proven by beating PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup final last summer, the odds are against Arsenal.

PSG are almost the perfect team: they know how to win and they are getting used to the taste of success. If they can defend their Champions League crown in Budapest, they will truly establish themselves as one of the greatest teams in European history.

It’s up for grabs, and Arsenal couldn’t have picked a stronger opponent.