PSG qualified for the semi-finals of the Champions League by eliminating defending Bayern Munich (1-0 defeat at Parc des Princes in the second leg, 3-2 victory in the first leg).
A huge performance for the Parisian club, which has reached this stage of the competition for the second time in a row and confirms its rise to power on the European scene.
ANALYSIS
Regardless of the defeat Tuesday night in the quarter-finals second leg of the Champions League (1-0): PSG achieved a real feat by eliminating the great Bayern Munich, thanks to the first leg victory in Germany (3-2 ).
The Parisians, to whom many fans and experts predicted an elimination, including the author of these lines, offered themselves the scalp of the defending champion, considered the best current team in Europe.
The icing on the cake: Neymar and his partners take their revenge on the final lost last year in Lisbon against the same Munich.
But beyond the historical nod, PSG seems to have passed a course on the European scene by qualifying for the second year in a row for the semi-finals of the C1, which only Saint-Etienne (1975-1976 ) and OM (1990-1991) had performed in France.
The whole club can now legitimately dream of the supreme title, the objective displayed since the takeover by the Qatari owners.
>> READ
- Champions League: "PSG deserved their qualification" against Bayern
The end of the curse of home and away matches
Despite its journey to the final last year, PSG had not evacuated all doubts about its ability to transcend in the Champions League.
At issue: the format of the Final 8 in Lisbon, with quarter-finals and semi-finals in a dry match, and not in the traditional round-trip format due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But this season, the Parisians have set the record straight and made us forget the traumas of the past, whether it is the famous comeback against FC Barcelona (in 8th in 2017, 4-0 and 1-6) or the humiliating elimination against a Manchester United bis team (in 8th in 2019, 2-0 and 1-3).
They first took their revenge on Barça in the round of 16, with a scathing victory at Camp Nou (4-1) before some scares on the return (1-1).
Then they eliminated the scarecrow of the competition, this Bayern Munich who had beaten them in the final last year and who acted as a big favorite for his own succession.
"Their career is remarkable: Manchester United and Leipzig (in the first round), FC Barcelona (in the eighth) and then this Bayern Munich which marched on Europe in a colossal way", greets our consultant Nabil Djellit, journalist at
France Football,
questioned in the debrief of the meeting on Europe 1.
Realism in Munich, a successful performance in Paris
PSG also displayed the qualities of a great European team.
First, they were able to be devilishly realistic in the quarter-finals, with a 3-2 victory in Munich despite a great domination of Bayern.
Mbappé had been impressive in composure in Germany, scoring two goals on his (practically) only chances.
On the return, they performed well in the game but were sorely lacking in realism, missing out on many opportunities.
"(Tuesday) evening, we can be a little disappointed that they did not materialize their chances, but Paris has passed the course and is found in the four best teams in Europe", considers despite everything Jimmy Algerino, former defender of the PSG.
"It is not stolen on the two matches. If the first leg was not controlled, the PSG could have won the meeting this (Tuesday) evening. They are invited to the table of the big ones and the continuation can be radiant ", supports Nabil Djellit.
A remarkable state of mind
Against Bayern, PSG has above all shown solidity and unfailing solidarity.
The whole team, from Keylor Navas to the defense through the attackers, got up to speed to resist the onslaught in Munich and thus qualify for the semi-finals.
An observation that contrasts with the feverishness displayed by PSG in the past, as our consultants estimate.
"It is especially in the state of mind that PSG has progressed. We knew they had the talent, but for three to four matches, we have seen a solidarity and a group that wants to play together. hopes they will have this state of mind until the end, "said Laurent Fournier, former midfielder and former PSG coach.
For Guy Roux, a player symbolizes this Parisian metamorphosis.
"Neymar was in a moral state in which he should always be: he played without cheating, with no other pleasure than wanting to score or to make score. And in the lot there were superb technical gestures", appreciated the iconic former coach of Auxerre.
Ingredients that PSG will have to bring together again in the semi-finals, against Manchester City or Dortmund, before considering raising this so desired cup with big ears ...