Paris Saint-Germain are on course to claim a memorable UEFA Champions League double, with the men’s and women’s teams through to the quarter-finals in their respective competitions.
While their route to the last eight has not been without hiccups, both teams have a genuine chance of getting their hands on the prestigious silverware.
PSG Women Stumble Through
The Paris Saint-Germain women’s team secured their place in the Champions League quarter-finals after a rollercoaster group stage.
Despite finishing top of the group, PSG’s journey has been wildly unconvincing. They collected ten points from six games, edging out Ajax for top place on goal difference.
While they dream of lifting the highly coveted trophy, their odds of success reflect a team still finding their rhythm on the European stage.
Standing in their way in the quarter-finals are Swedish side BK Hacken. But the road ahead gets even tougher, with a potential clash against a pre-tournament favorite looming in the semi-finals.
Les Parisiennes will rely on their key players to step up, particularly Malawian striker Tabitha Chawinga, who they hope will fire them to a first Champions League title.
Australian defender Clare Hunt has been a rock at the back for PSG, featuring in every Champions League match this season.
Her presence not only bolsters the team’s defense but also excites sports bettors in Australia, where they keep a close eye on her performances.
Sports betting apps currently rate PSG as 10.00 shots to capture the coveted Champions League trophy this season.
As they embark on their bold quest to defy the odds and secure continental glory, Hunt is poised to play a vital role in their ambitious campaign.
She will be desperate to deliver a winning return to Aussie punters and set up the prospect of PSG claiming a famous Champions League double.
Mbappe Aiming to Leave PSG as a European Champions
Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory over Spanish outfit Real Sociedad.
The tie looked like a mismatch on paper, and PSG didn’t put a foot wrong. They beat Sociedad 2-0 at the Parc des Princes before finishing the job in Spain.
Kylian Mbappe spearheaded PSG’s dominance, scoring in both legs of the tie. He opened the scoring on home soil before netting a brace in San Sebastian to silence the crowd and secure progression.
The perennial Champions League contenders are once again expected to be in the mix for the highly coveted European crown. But their journey to the knockout stage was far from smooth sailing.
Luis Enrique’s side barely survived the ‘Group of Death’ and has a positive goal difference to thank for securing a slot in the knockout phase after several underwhelming performances.
PSG lined up in Group F alongside Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle United. They scraped through with a mere eight points from six games.
They ultimately finished second in their group, level on points with Milan. However, their superior goal difference proved crucial, sending the Italian giants to the Europa League play-offs instead of the Champions League knockout stage.
The victory over Sociedad extended their European adventure, but coming up against the La Liga side was hardly a stern test for the French giants.
On a positive note, this year’s last-16 tie marks a slight improvement from last season’s unceremonious exit against Bayern Munich.
Despite being armed with the fearsome firepower of Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, Les Parisiens still fell short of expectations, falling to a 3-0 aggregate defeat against Bayern.
The pressure is on for PSG to finally achieve their elusive dream. But can they do it amidst uncertainty surrounding their star player?
PSG’s hopes seem to rest heavily on the shoulders of Mbappe, whose impending departure to Real Madrid casts a long shadow. The club can only hope that the World Cup winner will give them the Champions League trophy as a parting gift.
The 25-year-old, who has already built up a reputation as one of the best players on the planet, has proven that he could be the man to lead Les Parisiens to Champions League glory this season.
His brace in the success over Sociedad took his tally to 41 goal contributions in 34 appearances in all competitions this season, tied with Bayern’s Harry Kane for the most in Europe’s top five leagues.
Mbappe has found his playing time significantly reduced in recent weeks as Luis Enrique experiments with formations which don’t rely on the Frenchman.
Despite the transfer rumors claiming a move to Madrid is all but done, Mbappe remains a key player for PSG’s Champions League aspirations.
His ability to rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage will be crucial if they are to progress further in the competition.
