Paris Saint-Germain delivered a stunning performance, dismantling Real Madrid 4-0 in a Club World Cup semifinal match held in New Jersey.
PSG’s Pressing Masterclass
PSG showcased a relentless “gegenpressing” style, reminiscent of Jurgen Klopp’s successful Liverpool teams. They constantly harassed Real Madrid players, winning back possession almost instantly after losing it. This high-intensity approach proved overwhelming for Los Blancos.
This aggressive pressing directly led to PSG’s first two goals. Real Madrid defenders, Raul Asencio and Antonio Rudiger, were caught off guard and made crucial errors under pressure.
Fabian Ruiz capitalized on Ousmane Dembele’s high press to slot into an open net just six minutes in. Dembele then doubled PSG’s lead in the ninth minute, pouncing on another mistake by Rudiger.
The Art of Champagne Football
While the early goals stemmed from errors, PSG’s third was a display of pure attacking brilliance. Ousmane Dembele and Achraf Hakimi combined flawlessly, setting up Fabian Ruiz for his second goal in the 24th minute. This move perfectly showcased the lethal counter-attacking style, dubbed “champagne football,” that has become a hallmark of Luis Enrique’s side.
By halftime, PSG’s dominance was undeniable. They boasted an astonishing 77% possession compared to Real’s 23% and completed 384 passes against Real’s 95. Real Madrid looked utterly outclassed, a rare sight for the European giants.
Real Madrid’s Defensive Woes
Real Madrid showed a slight improvement in the second half as PSG eased their intensity and made substitutions. However, they still struggled to create meaningful chances. Kylian Mbappe, facing his former club, was largely neutralized, with PSG effectively cutting off his supply lines.
The final nail in Real Madrid’s coffin came in the 88th minute, with Goncalo Ramos scoring a neat finish to seal the emphatic 4-0 victory. This result brought Real Madrid’s misery to an end.
What’s Next for Los Blancos?
For new Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso, this defeat highlights several pressing issues. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities, which plagued them last season, were exposed once again. Even with new signings, the backline struggled significantly.
A key concern is the lack of defensive tracking back from star attackers like Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe. This leaves Real susceptible to swift counterattacks, a point Alonso has previously addressed. Their performance against PSG suggests the message has yet to fully resonate.
- PSG’s “gegenpressing” style was key to their dominant 4-0 victory.
- Real Madrid’s defenders made costly errors under high pressure, leading to early goals.
- PSG showcased lethal counter-attacking football, described as “champagne football.”
- Real Madrid’s defensive frailties and lack of tracking back from forwards were major weaknesses.
PSG’s emphatic win over Real Madrid serves as a powerful statement, firmly establishing them as a formidable force on the global stage.
