Are PSG Serious Champions League Contenders?

An exciting project, fueled with ambition of the Qatari owners. PSG are finally challenging at the heights they should have been hitting many years ago as a big city club. With Ligue 1 seeming like a banker unless there is a major slip up, attention could afford to sway to the Champions League. An honour that is distinct possibility with the tournament as open as ever.

They certainly have the set up to do it. It’s about it all falling into place, pot luck will be needed. Something that can happen, as Chelsea found out last season. The manager, Carlo Ancelotti has been in this situation before with AC Milan and with his job supposedly on the line. He will be hungry to lift the cup with the big ears. PSG’s exciting attacking football will be a threat to any in the competition, not many will be able to deal with the pace and versatility of the likes of Ezequiel Lavezzi and Lucas Moura. The latter has made an instant impact since joining from Sao Paulo in January, bringing pace and energy to Ligue 1 which is delightful.

The signing of David Beckham may have been a publicity stunt, but it could be a masterstroke on the part of Carlo Ancelotti. Beckham’s controlling style is something that fits well into the midfield, when the tempo needs slowing down, Beckham is the man to call on. Of course Beckham will be up for the occasion as he suggested in a recent interview ”It is a while since I played in the Champions League so I am excited. It is a big game for the club but it doesn’t mean that it will be easy.”

Carlo Ancelotti spoke of the professionalism of Beckham soon after signing him ”He’s one of the most serious and professional players I’ve ever known.” His attitude to the game is what will keep at the top that few years longer. Schooled on the Sir Alex Ferguson philosophy of the game, his approach to the game is adaptable to any situation. Which could be absolutely vital in the crunch of the Champions League.

Goals won’t come at a shortage for PSG. Evaluating the field of teams left in the Championship, PSG have the finest out and out striker of all in the form of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, someone who can bring different class to the table. The ability to do something out of the ordinary, the ability to entertain in the finest manor. With his fine talents, he is a match winner. Just like Drogba was last season.

For a side with big names the main problem for PSG is keeping it together. In many games they can be found out and exploited, despite their high volume of star names. In the derby against Marseille in the league they were contrasting from half to half. In the first they showed the reason they could damage any side in the Champions League. In the second they fell apart, almost allowing Marseille to find an equalizer.

Most sides will be fancying their chances in the Champions League, with the grips of Spain’s big two on the Champions League crown slowly slipping. This year is the year for the underdog to win the trophy. That is, of course if Bayern Munich don’t have their way.