There's a real cracker in store for FC Bayern in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup! After knocking out Flamengo in the round of 16, the German record champions will face reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on Saturday (18:00 CEST). Coach Luis Enrique's side underlined their class in the round of 16 against Inter Miami and left no doubt that they want to continue their run from the Champions League. We took a closer look at the French giants..
PSG finally capture the Champions League crown
With the longed-for Champions League triumph, PSG finally arrived in the absolute top tier of European football. Since the club was acquired by the Qatari investment group Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, the bosses' aim had been to win the trophy in Europe's most important club competition. Qatar's sovereign wealth fund, headed by PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi, poured billions into the French capital club - but despite numerous top transfers such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, the club failed to achieve major success at the highest level for a long time.
That's why management team led by sporting director Luis Campos therefore changed course: the squad was overhauled, with the aim of moving away from big names in favour of up-and-coming talent. In addition, the team were to regain a noticeably French character. So the bosses brought in established internationals such as Ousmane Dembélé and Lucas Hernández, while promising young players from the club's own ranks such as Warren Zaire-Emery were given the chance to prove themselves. With success: the squad is now much more balanced - the focus is no longer on individual exceptional players, but once again on the team as a cohesive unit. The foundation stone on which the crowning glory in Europe's premier club competition was laid.
Quality across all positions
A closer look at the PSG squad reveals very few weak points. Gianluigi Donnarumma has finally grown into a world-class goalkeeper in recent years. In central defence, captain Marquinhos and ex-Frankfurt player Willian Pacho have established themselves as rock-solid pillars. And PSG also have two of the best half-backs in Europe: Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes combine robust tackling with great attacking prowess.
The heart of the team is in midfield, where Vitinha acts as the motor, providing structure in build-up play, while João Neves and Fabián Ruiz bring creative impetus to the attack. In front of them,, Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé and winter newcomer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cause havoc amongst the opposition's defence. Hardly any other attacking trio is as unpredictable and flexible as the three PSG strikers.
PSG’s current form
PSG progressed to the knockout stage of the Club World Cup as group winners. Enrique's side were solid for long stretches, but did allow themselves one slip-up in a 1-0 defeat to Botafogo. The 13-time French champions opened their campaign with an impressive 4-0 win over Atlético Madrid. Doué and Co. didn't cover themselves in glory in their 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders, but still got the job done with ease. In the round of 16, they defeated Messi's club Inter Miami with a resounding win. The Paris side were already 4-0 up at the break, and that was the score at the final whistle.
The French capital club is therefore well on the way to crowning what has been an already impressive season with the treble of championship, cup victory and the Champions League. The men from Munich, however, are aiming to prevent exactly that - and will do everything in their power to secure a place in the semi-finals. We can expect an absolute top-class clash with two teams on an equal footing. Pack ma's! (Let's do this!)
The match report for the round of 16 against Flamengo:
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