Paris Saint-Germain are sitting pretty at the top of the Ligue 1 table, winning all of their 12 outings. But the French giants have failed to replicate the same in their European conquests.
Italian legend and PSG’s summer signing Gianluigi Buffon had his say on whether the team are Champions League favourites. The veteran believes they need a clear path and an experienced squad in order to make a statement in Europe and he couldn’t have put it much better.
In 2017, PSG had managed to push favourites Barcelona to the edge of the cliff in the quarter-finals, thrashing the Catalans 4-0 at home but handed them a route back into the contest, eventually succumbing to a 6-1 defeat in the second leg at Camp Nou.
Neymar was signed for a record fee of €222m that summer so PSG could realise their elusive European dreams but their troubles lay more in mentality than quality on the ball.
Les Parisiens were favourites against Real Madrid last season, given how their campaign was shaping up while the Spanish outfit struggled domestically. But after 180 minutes of directionless football, PSG bowed out of the competition. Their response to this was roping in Monaco starlet Kylian Mbappe for another record-breaking fee.
This season, an upbeat Liverpool at Anfield completely dominated the visitors despite the scoreline indicating a 3-2 defeat.
Parc des Princes then played host to Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli, who are undergoing a transitional phase from Maurizio Sarri’s 4-3-3 to the Italian’s pragmatic 4-4-2. The Ligue 1 champions were second best and not as coherent in attack as their opponents.
Most of PSG’s chances came through counter-attacks but the lethal trio of Mbappe, Neymar and Edinson Cavani lacked a final product.
Thomas Tuchel is no doubt burdened by high expectations in his first season in charge at the club. If a league win is not complemented by European triumph, it will be a disappointment.
Thomas Tuchel
Against Napoli, the German had his team pressed well and cut down passing lanes. To his credit, this was definitely an upgrade from what we saw at Anfield when the Parisians showed no intent.
PSG enjoyed more possession in the second half and pressed better, but despite the heavy investment on the frontline, they failed to step up when it mattered. Napoli were better in all departments and it took an own-goal and a late Di Maria stunner to hand the hosts an undeserving point.
The French giants have splashed heavy on established players and budding prospects but like Buffon said, they need an experienced squad with a winning mentality to challenge in Europe. A strong mentality that does not let a 4-0 advantage slip. A strong mentality which enables them to perform on Tuesday and Wednesday nights and step up when it actually matters. This is something that cannot be bought and needs to be developed.
Should Napoli get the better of their opponents on Tuesday, PSG’s chances of progressing are bleak. Neymar must turn up and justify his price-tag.
