Paris Saint-Germain arrives in Qatar to decide the Intercontinental Cup, facing Flamengo, as favorite. But, six months after inflicting the biggest defeat in history in the Champions League final (5-0 at Inter Milan) and winning an unprecedented title, are the French still the same? The fact that the rival does not run a French Championship traditionally without competitors and its recent problems of embezzlement may suggest that this is not the case. But that’s not what the numbers say.
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PSG’s season so far has scores that speak for themselves. The success rate is 72.46% over 23 matches. There were 15 wins, five draws and three defeats. The average number of goals scored is 2.43. The number suffered was 1.04.
The current usage is higher than the same period of the previous season: 69.57%. The offensive average during this period was also a little lower than today (2.22 goals scored per game). The defense was better: 0.87.
But it should be remembered that PSG 2024/25 progressed from the second half, finishing with impressive figures (77.95% success, 2.58 goals scored per match and 0.91 conceded), in addition to the titles won. In other words: given that the work is designed to reach its peak in the final months of the season, the 2025/26 version is on the same path.
If it shows how PSG has managed to maintain its high level of competitiveness from one season to the next, the observation also brings a glimmer of hope for Flamengo. Filipe Luís’ team will not meet the French at their technical peak.
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Unlike what happened at the Club World Cup mid-year, the physical advantage is now with the Europeans. But even in that sense, the reds and blacks have something to hold on to. PSG are suffering from a series of injuries which are preventing them from being even better at this stage of the season.
The main ones are on the attack. The season was marked by physical problems for Dembélé, voted best player of the last edition of the Ballon d’Or. To top it off, last week he was struck down by a virus which ruled him out of the last two matches. He participated in the match against Flamengo. But he won’t be in his best condition.
The same thing happens with Désiré Doué. After an absence of more than a month due to an injury to his right thigh (his second injury in three months), he gradually returned to the team.
— There is a difference between recovering from an injury and being 100%. He has not yet completely regained his physical form, admitted coach Luis Enrique after the French team’s victory over Metz last Saturday.
Also an important part of the attack, Hakimi is recovering from a sprained left ankle and is certain to be absent. Without him and with Doué far from his best form, the right side of the attack does not have his known solidity.
Finally, at the back, there is Marquinhos. The Brazilian has been ruled out again after a hip problem and is still not at his best. Luis Enrique has already suggested that he will not start.
On the other hand, the midfielder trio remains at its peak. Mainly Vitinha. The Portuguese finished his season with the most assists (eight) and is also on course to break his personal best in goals.
But the biggest difference compared to the champion team is precisely under the goal posts. With the entry of Chevalier in place of Donnarumma, Luís Enrique gained a goalkeeper who delivers the ball better and knows how to react to high pressure from the opponent (like the one that Filipe Luis’ Flamengo likes to do). On the other hand, he no longer has the high defensive level of the Italian.
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