PSG humiliates Real Madrid: Dembélé for the Ballon d’Or, Modric says goodbye

In a meeting that will be etched in memory, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Real Madrid with a resounding 4-0 in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, held in New Jersey. The result, which could have been even more overwhelming, exposed a Real Madrid that suffered a humiliation that could mark a before and after.

PSG, the current UEFA Champions League champion, sealed the match in just 24 minutes. Fabián Ruiz, with two goals, and Ousmane Dembélé, with one goal, left the score 3-0 in favor of the Parisians, leaving the merengue team without a response.

Despite Thibaut Courtois’ impressive saves and some missed opportunities by PSG, Gonçalo Ramos scored the fourth goal for Luis Enrique’s team in the 87th minute, sealing a deserved victory. Kylian Mbappé, who played his first match in the tournament, failed to shine against his former team. PSG, now one victory away from obtaining the world title, seeks to add a new trophy to its record, after winning the Champions League, the Coupe de France and Ligue 1 last season.

Is PSG at the Level of Guardiola’s Barcelona?

Luis Enrique’s PSG is positioning itself as a team that deserves to be considered among the best in history, on par with Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, considered by many to be the best team of all time. The PSG midfield, made up of Vitinha, João Neves and Ruiz, proved to be a key factor in dominating the game, surpassing the Real Madrid midfield, composed of Jude Bellingham, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Arda Güler. The PSG is a collective of brilliant individuals who play as a team and work harder than their opponents. FIFA statistics revealed that Real Madrid’s average ball recovery time was 45 seconds, while PSG’s was 23 seconds, almost twice as fast. This intensity and teamwork are the keys to PSG’s success.

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Xabi Alonso and Tactical Experiments

The defeat against PSG exposed Real Madrid’s tactical problems. The offensive duo formed by Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé, although talented, showed difficulties in meshing and fulfilling defensive tasks. Xabi Alonso’s strategy, which included Gonzalo García’s position as center forward, Vinícius’s placement on the opposite wing, and the positioning of Bellingham and Arda Güler in midfield, did not work. This tactical configuration facilitated PSG’s dominance in the midfield.

The lack of defensive work from Vinícius and Mbappé, added to the presence of a center forward who failed to generate danger, gave PSG the advantage in midfield and exposed the defensive weaknesses of the merengue team. The lack of time to train and the pressure of being on the most important stage in football make it difficult to implement an effective tactical system.

Dembélé, on his way to the Ballon d’Or

Ousmane Dembélé is shaping up as the big favorite to win this year’s Ballon d’Or, after his outstanding performance in the Club World Cup. The French player showed his quality by scoring two goals and generating goal opportunities for his teammates. Dembélé, at 28 years old, is at the peak of his career and his performance in the tournament positions him as the main candidate to succeed Rodri of Manchester City as the winner of the Ballon d’Or. PSG coach Luis Enrique substituted Dembélé in the 59th minute, preserving his energy for the Club World Cup final against Chelsea. A victory in the final would further consolidate Dembélé’s chances of winning the prestigious award.

Real Madrid’s Bewildering Defense

The Real Madrid defense suffered a hard blow, with individual and collective errors that facilitated PSG’s victory. The absence of key players and the lack of cohesion in the midfield contributed to the defeat. Dean Huijsen’s suspension and some players’ failure to adapt to new positions weakened the team’s defensive structure. It is expected that Real Madrid’s defense will improve in the future, but the defeat against PSG highlighted the current deficiencies.

Farewell to Modric, a Real Madrid legend

The defeat against PSG marked the end of Luka Modric’s time at Real Madrid, after 13 years, 597 matches, 43 goals and numerous titles, including four Leagues, two Copa del Rey and six Champions League. The defeat and Modric’s limited participation in the match tarnished his farewell, but his legacy as one of the best midfielders in the club’s history will endure in the memory of the fans.