PSG: the failure of a project of 1,149 million to reign in Europe
Paris Saint-Germain accumulates seven consecutive bumps in Europe
Another season plus the pharaonic project of Nasser Al-Khelaïfi in front of Paris Saint-Germain failed again in Europe. In fact, it has been 'involucionando' From 2012-13 to 2015-16 it fell four times in a row in the quarterfinals of the Champions League (Barcelona, Chelsea, Barcelona and Manchester City) and from 2016-17 to the current season it has fallen in three consecutive occasions in eighths (Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United). This last elimination, after winning 0-2 in the first leg, has reopened the wounds of a project whose foundations are reeling. The reasons are very diverse.
1,149 million without reward in Europe
Champions League (eighth, round): PSG 1-3 Manchester United Mediapro
The 'megagain' of the PSG (1,149.1 million since the arrival of the Qatar fund) has served to win everything in France (five Leagues, four Cups, five League Cups and six Super Cups)... but has not 'scratched' metal in Europe. Insufficient. So much so that it could have immediate consequences. The sports director Antero Henrique was already more out than inside. We will also have to pay attention to Al-Khelaïfi. Last season it was rumored that he could stop being the man of confidence at Qatar Sports Investments, the club's owner fund, after falling to Madrid. The truth is that many signings have not justified their high price: Pastore (42), Moura (40), Draxler (36), Lavezzi (30), Guedes (30), Krychowiak (30), Cabaye (25), Jesé ( 25)...
Marquinhos midfielder?
The 1,149 million invested in signings do not hide structural deficiencies. The deepest, probably, is in the midfielder position. Tuchel asked for two signings in the winter - Gueye (Everton), Doucouré (Watford) and Thiago Mendes (Lille) - and 'only' came Paredes, substitute to date in the big dates. The solution of Tuchel to the 'forced down of Rabiot' has been to accompany Verratti, both in the first leg and in the return, of Marquinhos. The solution of overtaking the Brazilian has not been a punctual thing - he has tried it in multiple matches - but not always with good results. In the 3-2 defeat at Anfield, for example, he was marked. Marquinhos is a magnificent center, but 'just' a good midfielder. A team that has spent so much expected something more in the core.
Bad luck with injuries
The suffering of Neymar with the PSG debacle in Europe Mediapro
It must be said, in all honesty, that Paris Saint-Germain has not been lucky enough in Europe either. Especially, in the last two seasons. The injuries have played a trick on the Old Continent. The last course, after falling 3-1 at the Bernabéu, Neymar, his great signing, fell injured long-term. This campaign history has been repeated: he has played against Manchester United without Cavani - he only entered the aggregate of the return - and Neymar, injured. It is true that, when talking about casualties, United was worse: he showed up in Paris without 10 players.
Inability to manage favorable results
Goal of Lukaku (0-1) in PSG 1-3 Manchester United Mediapro
PSG has bought many players, but it lacks the substance that gives history in Europe. Neither his shirt, nor his shield, nor his stadium weigh as much as that of the 'giants' of the Old Continent. Their players also lack experience to manage specific situations. It has been seen in two of the last three seasons. PSG is the only team to have traced a favorable 4-0 - Barcelona won 6-1 - and is also the only one that has wasted a 0-2 in favor falling 1-3 with Manchester United in the Parc des Princes.
Without a guarantee goalkeeper
Goal of Lukaku (1-2) in PSG 1-3 Manchester United Mediapro
The goal is an endemic evil of Paris Saint-Germain. In recent seasons they have paraded through the Parc des Princes Sirigu, Trapp, Areola, Buffon... and none have settled. In recent years, in fact, there have been many 'rotations' in the goal. One thing is for sure. All, without exception, have alternated good stops with blunders. The last one, a big one like Buffon, who saw how a very distant shot from Rashford slipped from his hands and his rejection was left to Lukaku to score the 1-2 and return Manchester United to the tie.
Lack of competitiveness in France
The PSG team celebrates a goal.
The little opposition that the PSG finds in the local tournaments is a 'handicap' when it comes to competing in Europe. This season was eliminated by Guingamp in the League Cup, true, but in the last three seasons he has won Cup, League Cup and Super Cup. In two of them, in addition, won the Ligue 1. A League in which this course, 11 days from the end, leads by 17 points to Lille, second, despite having played a game less.
Decompensated template
We return to the signings. The 1,149.1 million invested have not served to create a compensated template. There is a lot of crack from midfield onwards (Emery even had problems joining Mbappé, Neymar, Cavani and Di María) and little midfield backwards. To the problems in the double pivot -in addition to Marquinhos has come to test with Alves and Draxler- we must add those of the goal and the problems he has found in the market to sign two 'top' sides. Against United, for example, Kehrer played from start... despite having Alves and Meunier on staff. Bernat, on the other hand, does not have an alternate of guarantees. This is a sign that something is not right.
Without a replacement for Cavani
Cavani injured in a Champions League match.
Among the problems of making the template highlights the fact that there is no '9' substitute for Cavani. The natural alternative is Choupo-Moting, which comes down with the Stoke, and had no minutes in the return against United. The solution was to put Mbappé '9' with Draxler behind. The ex-Monaco, alone, isolated, unfolded to the 1,000 wonders, knew how to open spaces in the closed visitor defense... but he lacked partners in attack. Touch sign.
Bad management of the 'Rabiot case'
PSG celebrates a goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.
PSG missed Adrien Rabiot against Manchester United. From the outside it seems that the cravat that the club sent the midfielder to his refusal to renew has gone too expensive. The team lacked the courage and the push of Rabiot at certain times. In Paris nobody doubts that he is going to leave, but he could have been a useful player in the final stretch of the season and the will to want to exemplify with the frenchman seems to have turned against the Ligue 1 champion.
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