The Key To Realizing PSG’s European Title Aspirations

Paris Saint-Germain have once again fallen short of their first Champions League title, thoroughly played off the park by an imposing Manchester City side who capitalized on the Parisians lack of resolve to win 2-0 (3-1 a.g.). For a club boasting a playing squad worth roughly €830 million, it is remarkable to see just how unbalanced and fragile the French champions are.

On Tuesday night, left back Juan Bernat missed his 50th consecutive match after suffering a season-ending Cruciate ligament tear in September. In a position which has long been identified as a weak spot within this PSG side, regular center half Abdou Diallo filled in, going on to endure a turbulent evening in which his opposite number Riyad Mahrez went on to win MOTM with his two goals.

Left back is an ongoing problem for the French champions which has truly never been addressed since the Qatari royal family bought the club in the summer of 2011. Brazilian fullback Maxwell quickly became an integral part of the side when he arrived in the winter of 2012, however over his 5 ½ seasons in France, the fullback would never truly showcase the attacking incentives to support PSG’s stars. His mere 4 assists in 41 Champions League appearances - all of which came in group stage matches which PSG won by a combined scoreline of 16-2 - left the Parisians wanting against stark opposition where more creativity was needed from the wide channels.

Since his departure, Layvin Kurzawa has taken over the mantle, however, the former Monaco fullback has alienated large sections of the fanbase with his off-field antics and poor performances in big fixtures. Kurzawa was even voted as one of the 5 worst transfers of the decade for the club by leading PSG outlet Psgtalk.com - no small feat for a club which has signed such washed-up talents like Spanish winger Jesé for €25 million.