Why beating Manchester United is bigger for PSG than reaching last season’s Champions League final
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August’s Champions League final in Lisbon felt like judgement day for Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Paris St. Germain.
While Mbappe is still young, the showdown with Bayern Munich was meant to be Neymar’s remontada, to prove to all that his decision to leave the haven of Barcelona was justified.
But they were stopped by Bayern’s big red machine. A side too big, too strong and crucially too much of a cohesive team.
Fast forward to this week and a third loss to Manchester United in their last four meetings could mean curtains for PSG’s Champions League campaign before it’s barely begun. An early Champions League departure could also have wider ramifications for the club’s well-backed project.
So we’re looking at why it’s win or bust for PSG at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
Two cannot go into three
PSG are in second place in Group G, but are level on six points with RB Leipzig.. The French club are currently 12/1 to win the whole thing this year. Defeat this week, however, could be fatal for their Champions League hopes if Leipzig beat Istanbul Basaksehir.
It would mean that United and the German club could play out a draw in the last matchday and both advance.
But if PSG can get the three points at Old Trafford then It would make them all but certain of progress with Leipzig’s poor Goal Difference.
End of the revolution
Since the Qatar Sports Investment’s takeover in 2011, PSG have stumbled and stumbled at Europe’s top table. Last season’s run to the final was a step in the right direction, but it feels like some of their most influential players are outgrowing the club after continued Champions League disappointment
Kylian Mbappe has said it’s his goal to win the European Cup with the club, but an early exit this season could see a mass exodus.
Neymar may feel his time in France is up too, while clubs could come calling for Marco Verratti, Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos.
Defeat in Lisbon seemed a watershed moment, with many again questioning their big game mentality. And if the Ligue 1 giants fail to reach this season’s last-sixteen then they really could enter the history books as purely a ‘vibes’ team.
Match Odds
Les Parisiens are 27/20 to get the three points at the Theatre of Dreams, while they’re 11/4 to win with Both Teams to Score.
A draw at 5/2 would keep them in with a shout irrespective of Leipzig’s result in Turkey.
Kylian Mbappe is a goal away from reaching 100 for the club and is 7/2 to score first. Neymar is 6/4 anytime with former United man Angel Di Maria at 23/10 to score anytime.
Man United are 15/8 to win the match with former PSG hero Edinson Cavani also 15/8 to strike at any time.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
