PSG Hit Top Gear Ahead of Champions League Knockout Clash
Paris Saint-Germain went into the Champions League knockout stages in rare form, shaking off past inconsistencies and fitness concerns to emerge as serious contenders for European glory.
Unlike previous seasons, where PSG often stumbled into the latter stages of the competition with doubts lingering, this year they arrive brimming with confidence. Their 4-1 demolition of Monaco on Friday in Ligue 1 underscored their dominance, and they are overwhelming favourites to overcome Brest in the play-off round.
PSG struggled at the tail end of 2024, with defeats to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich raising fears of an early exit. However, Luis Enrique’s side rallied with emphatic victories over Manchester City and Stuttgart, scoring four หากคุณสนใจเล่นพนันออนไลน์ที่ดีที่สุด สามารถสมัครสมาชิก UFABET ได้ที่นี่ พร้อมรับโปรโมชั่นพิเศษสำหรับสมาชิกใหม่ goals in each game to secure their place in the knockout play-offs.
Their domestic dominance remains unquestioned, having lost just once in their last 61 matches against French opposition a streak that reflects both their quality and the financial chasm between them and the rest of Ligue 1.
Even without Kylian Mbappé, PSG have found a new attacking talisman in Ousmane Dembélé. The French winger has been in sensational form, netting 16 goals in his last 10 matches, including a hat-trick in PSG’s recent 5-2 thrashing of Brest. Meanwhile, Bradley Barcola has rediscovered his best form, and January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored his first PSG goal against Monaco.
Brest’s European journey has been remarkable, but they now face an uphill battle against the reigning French champions. In their first-ever Champions League campaign, the Brittany club are playing home matches in Guingamp due to UEFA stadium requirements.
Their 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the group stage was a learning experience, but the prospect of facing PSG over two legs dampens the excitement.
“When you play in Europe, you prefer to face a foreign team,” Brest coach Eric Roy admitted, noting that his side could have drawn Benfica instead of their domestic powerhouse.
With the second leg set for February 19, PSG are expected to progress, setting up a potential last-16 showdown with either Liverpool or Barcelona.