Coming up against a Chelsea side that seemed to roll over any team that came towards their way this season, Paris Saint Germain showcased the quality of the players. With an arrogant attitude, bold but clear decisions in the field and most important the ability to remain unfazed over the course of 2 legs, the reigning French Champions got the better of the Premier League leaders.
While there is a talk of revenge in the air, PSG have more important thoughts to counter as now, after beating Chelsea, they have a chance to get themselves included in the European elite.
Even though Paris Saint Germain was the better team in the 1st Leg in all departments, the 1-1 scoreline with which Chelsea returned home had given them an un-deniable advantage over PSG. However, with their never die attitude, the ability to remain calm when in possession and composed when not, PSG got the better of the blues in an enthralling fixture at the Stamford Bridge.
But still, after beating the contenders of this season’s Champions League, the questions remain the same. Can they do it? Do they have what it takes to be a Champion? They aren’t the Liverpool of 2005, surely not, they are the underdogs for sure but that tag of underdogs is not due to the financial and shortage of stellar names, as it came into existence due to their sudden lunge into the limelight.
Nor are they the Chelsea of 2011, they aren’t the best of defensive units, they have their own identity, an identity which has found its mark in domestic competition for the last 4 seasons but the same identity is still finding its feet amongst the European big-guns.
In Laurent Blanc, they have a manger who has the experience of winning the Champions League himself, although it was way back from this era, still the Frenchman could feel the aura of being important. And even though PSG still haven’t have a Champions League medal to their name since coming into inception in 1970, their performance against Chelsea can prove to be a watershed moment of this campaign.
To say that PSG isn’t a cup-team under Blanc would be offensive because since taking charge at the Parc Des Princes, the Frenchman has won 3 cups in only two seasons. While both of those cups were at the domestic stage, it indicates the ability of his team to absorb pressure in two-legged matches.
Defending isn’t a fairytale for PSG this season
Talking about their chances in general, it will be the defense, not the attack of PSG that will play a part if they are to be in the Berlin Stadium in May. In their all competition’s history till date, they have conceded 10 goals, which, for a team aspiring to be in the elite, isn’t the most aspiring of stats.
Thus, if they want to win their first ever Champions League medal, the defensive partnership of Silva and Luiz should do justice to their respective hefty price tags.
Attack good, but not good enough!
Talking about their attack and although a mere ZLATAN would be enough to showcase the capabilities of their attack, PSG are much more than a one man team this season. Having players like Lucas Moura, Cavani, Lavezzi and Blaise Matuidi all of whom love to attack, PSG are one of the most dangerous and more importantly, balanced sides in the Champions League this season.
However, even though they have that much artillery in their ranks, 13 goals in 8 matches didn’t do justice to the massive enterprise that PSG is. And with Ibrahimovic set to miss the quarter finals, the pressure will be shifted to Cavani and Co. to steer the team forward.
Conclusion:
Even though they can be counted as one of the Money-laden giants of modern football, PSG winning Champions League title this season seems difficult. While their win against the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea can be counted as the highlights of this season for PSG, it is difficult to imagine them beating the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid this year.
Assessing their chances: Can Paris Saint Germain win the Champions League this season?
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