Via Marca
A new season has kicked off with all strings attached, from juicy transfers to catastrophic upsets, controversy, and managerial sackings alike. As we stumble upon the fresh season it makes sense to reminisce about the transverse waves of the latter season, in particular one club that I fondly wrote about, Paris Saint Germain. Upon their major restock of fresh talent last season fans and experts alike posed the question - “Will PSG end up like Real Madrid’s failed Galacticos?”.
The answer, by far, is yes. PSG walked into the gates of last season aiming to chisel their name as a certified great in the history of football, boasting one of the greatest lineups and having one of the great tacticians in football with Mauricio Pochettino at the coaching role, PSG was set for a dream run. However, what followed was far from greatness.
Firstly came the loss to 2021 French Champions Lille OSC in the Trophee des Champions though, it's just a one-game playoff hence of minor importance. Upon obtaining the juggernaut signings the team began its conquest. The group phase of the Champions league raised several eyebrows with just a measly 1 - 1 draw against Belgian side Club Brugge though, convincing wins over Manchester City and RB Leipzig rekindled their winning mentality. To all costs PSG ended their furlong in second place they could face a European heavyweight to create a thrilling match-up in the Round of 16. Within France, PSG’s first major disappointment arrived thanks to a loss in the French Cup to OGC Nice, and further escalating the problems was a match-up between a resurgent Real Madrid in the Champions League. The stage was set, and the first leg in Paris was one-sided Parisian domination though was just hindered by the Madrid defense, not to mention a Lionel Messi penalty miss! The match prolonged till the 94th minute with Madristas looking to steal a sly stale-mate but the masterful link-up with Neymar Jr. and Mbappe led to a goal. With Paris up by a goal the advantage seemed to demotivate Madrid alongside a Mbappe goal sheering the score to 2 - 0, with all things set PSG seemed to be comfortably through 3 defensive calamities and a Karim Benzema masterclass Hattrick led to them taking the boot.