Paris Saint-Germain have lengthy been one in all Europe’s most glamorous golf equipment, however regardless of their Qatari house owners’ ambitions, they’ve by no means claimed the coveted Champions League title.
Now, with out their normal superstars, PSG discover themselves dangerously flirting with mediocrity and dealing with the prospect of an early, unthinkable exit from the competitors.
On Tuesday, the French giants journey to Austria to face Red Bull Salzburg in a must-win conflict to maintain their hopes alive within the revamped Champions League.
With solely 4 factors and three targets after 5 matches, PSG are presently twenty fifth within the standings, one spot exterior the highest 24 wanted to succeed in the knockout section.
Ten factors could also be wanted to advance, and Luis Enrique’s workforce nonetheless have robust video games in opposition to Manchester City and Stuttgart to return, which means the stress is on in Salzburg.
Runners-up in 2020 and semifinalists final season, PSG haven’t gone out of the Champions League earlier than the knockout rounds since 2004-05, when their largest title was Portuguese striker Pedro Miguel Pauleta.
Since the transformative takeover by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, PSG followers have grow to be accustomed to seeing glamorous gamers on their workforce, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani to Neymar, Lionel Messi, and Kylian Mbappe.
The departure of Mbappe after final season marked a change in coverage, with PSG deciding to deal with constructing a brand new workforce with gifted however unproven kids.
The likes of Warren Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola, all aged between 18 and 22, are actually regulars in Luis Enrique’s workforce, whereas France winger Ousmane Dembele might be essentially the most recognizable face.
Empty seats
The change in strategy has not stopped PSG from sitting 5 factors clear on the high of Ligue 1, regardless of drawing their final two matches.
However, their performances in Europe have been substandard and sometimes merely mediocre, as they’ve struggled to problem the likes of Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
Fans are clearly not overly enamored, with empty seats now a standard sight at many PSG house matches on the 48,000-capacity Parc des Princes. This is very regarding at a time when the membership is taking a look at the opportunity of constructing a a lot bigger new stadium within the suburbs.
Without the explosive tempo of Mbappe, the abilities of Neymar, or the charisma of Ibrahimovic, a lot of PSG’s soccer underneath Luis Enrique this season has been one-paced, even boring.
It all raises questions in regards to the future route of a membership that has, in recent times, established itself as one of many world’s largest sporting manufacturers.
‘Solid foundations’
“Dream less big,” mentioned one headline within the sports activities each day L’Equipe final week, in a twist on the membership’s motto of “Dream Bigger.”
“Are PSG beginning a decline?” requested one other headline in the identical publication. It will probably be not possible to not imagine that’s the case in the event that they fail within the Champions League.
“PSG are the team that score the most goals and concede the fewest in Ligue 1. In the Champions League, it is more difficult,” Luis Enrique mentioned after Friday’s 0-0 draw at Auxerre.
“We will go to Salzburg looking to win and score goals. We have no safety net, but that is our aim.”
Luis Enrique is aware of the highlight will probably be targeted ever extra firmly on him if ends in Europe don’t enhance.
There have been experiences in latest days of rifts growing between the Spaniard and main gamers, who’re mentioned to be sad along with his administration type.
There can also be uncertainty about the way forward for director of soccer Luis Campos, whose contract expires on the finish of the season.
However, PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi is sticking by Luis Enrique, telling L’Equipe: “We have a technique for the brief, medium, and long run, and I’ve full religion within the coach and gamers.
“Our project has solid foundations, and we will keep building on those.”
Those foundations will however be far much less stable if PSG don’t quickly enhance within the Champions League, beginning on Tuesday.
Source: www.dailysabah.com