Are PSG Europe’s team to beat this year?

After two thrilling days of Champions League matches, we know the 16 teams moving on to the next round.

Both nights were filled with surprising results like Real Madrid’s 0-3 loss and the 2-1 loss suffered by Juventus to  Young Boys, and Manchester United losing 2-1 to Valencia. Although all three teams are going through to the next round, these losses show their weaknesses. 

One team that made an impression this group stage of the Champions League, and especially last night was Paris Saint Germain. The Parisian team won 4-1 against Red Star Belgade with all three members of the famous MCN (Mbappe, Cavani and Neymar) scoring along with Brazilian defender Marquinos.

Critics may argue that winning against Red Star Brigade should be easy, but both Liverpool and Napoli struggled to play on their turf Liverpool lost 2-0 and Napoli drew 0-0.

“We are playing more as a team,” captain Thiago Silva told reporters in the mixed zone.

“We are going from strength to strength. We are getting stronger every day. We have understood what the manager and his staff wanted. Our players are intelligent. We beat Red Star because we had the ball, but we were patient and we played simply.”

Thiago Silva

The team displayed unity, confidence and control on Tuesday night, a far cry from the PSG who lost 3-2 against Liverpool in the first game of the group stage, instead of 11 individual players PSG have become a solid team. 

“We played together and for 75 minutes, we were impressive and totally in control,” Tuchel after the game on Tuesday.

“What I am the most pleased about is that once again, the boys showed they are capable of playing as a team, with a lot of quality and mental strength.”

PSG coach Thomas Tuchel

Finishing at the top of arguably the toughest group, PSG will go into the knockout round confident that this may be their year and that they can finally get past the quarter finals.

Going through to the next round at the top of their group has sent a strong message to the other teams that Paris Saint Germain are ready to lift the coveted trophy this year, but there is still a long road ahead for the French team. 

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