Superstar Kylian Mbappé could write an unpleasant chapter of history with Paris Saint-Germain on December 13th at Signal Iduna Park: For the first time since QSI (Qatar Sports Investments) took over power at the capital club, you could not be in the Champions League overwinter! For the first time in twelve years, there is a risk of relegation to the much less glamorous Europa League.
After the controversial 1-1 draw at home against Newcastle, PSG are in the group stage with just seven points from five games – the Parisians haven’t been this bad since the 2004/2005 season. At that time, the French were eliminated last with just five points.
“PSG is finally a big club in Europe,” commented a visibly annoyed Johan Micoud L´Équipe TV.
Shortly afterwards, the former Werder Bremen playmaker explained exactly what he meant: “You can thank the referee that you still have your fate in your own hands. Because the penalty that Paris received in injury time was immensely generous and the question arises as to why there were nine minutes of injury time even though Newcastle didn’t make a single change. Otherwise only the really big players on this continent can do that and get you help.”
Last summer, everything in the Prinzenpark was completely overhauled with the departures of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Marco Verratti, a new coach was brought in with Luis Enrique and new stars such as Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé, Goncalo Ramos and Lucas Hernández were signed.
But so far the fans have missed a certain amount of consistency and they would like greater resistance to pressure, which will be needed more than ever in Dortmund.
“Of course you can be very worried about PSG’s future in the Champions League,” said David Ginola, once an idol of PSG and now an expert at Canal+.
“The Parisians always have a hard time in the European Cup away from home,” explained the 56-year-old: “This team is still under construction and is far from being able to live up to its potential. But none of that counts, the round of 16 has to be reached, no ifs or buts.”
“There are a lot of doubts about the PSG players,” said ex-PSG and Newcastle defender Sylvain Distin SPORTS1. “They seem frustrated and stressed. They can be really happy that they still have it in their own hands after this lucky draw.”
PSG is threatened with the next but probably greatest humiliation with a possible exit in this group phase.
The pale face of PSG boss Nasser Al-Khelaifi at the end of injury time in the VIP stand in the Prinzenpark late on Tuesday evening spoke volumes. His worry lines were rarely so deep.
2023-12-01 13:13:12
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