PSG faces Flamengo after a 65-game marathon and “an almost perfect year”

Flamengo will face an opponent in 2025 who knows the meaning of the term “marathon” well. Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) arrives at the decision of the Intercontinental Cup, scheduled for this Wednesday (17), at 2:00 p.m. (Brasilia time), carrying on its legs the weight of a historic and exhausting season. The French giant has played 65 official matches this year, only 12 fewer than Rubro-Negro. This high mileage reflects the success of Luis Enrique’s team, which has qualified for the final stages of practically every tournament in which it has participated.

The year 2025 will remain marked in the memory of Parisian supporters as the moment of maximum glory. The club won the long-awaited Champions League with a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Inter Milan in May. In addition to the most coveted cup in Europe, PSG has won the French Championship, the Coupe de France, the French Super Cup and the European Super Cup. The only blemish on this impeccable trajectory was the 3-0 defeat in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.

The PSG coach tightens his squad

To support this busy schedule, Luis Enrique had to tighten his squad. Two names stand out as the team’s “iron men”: midfielder Vitinha and striker Barcola. Both took the field 61 times, leading the participation statistics. Just behind is the Portuguese Gonçalo Ramos, with 60 games, who oddly often plays off the bench. But the top scorer of the year is Ousmane Dembélé. Despite physical problems which limited his appearances to 45 matches, the striker found the net 30 times.

The French team, however, has a very heavy absence for the final against the Brazilians. Achraf Hakimi, considered the best right back in the world, did not even make the trip to Qatar. The Moroccan is nursing a serious ankle injury and is focusing on his recovery for the Africa Cup of Nations. In goals, the situation has also changed: without Donnarumma, traded to Manchester City, and with the return from injury of recently recruited Lucas Chevalier, the Russian Safonov could get a new opportunity or see the return of the French holder.

📊 X-ray of PSG in 2025

• Games played: 65

• Victories: 49

• Top scorer: Dembélé (30 goals)

• Who played the most: Vitinha and Barcola (61 matches)

• Main titles: Champions League, Ligue 1 and Coupe de France.

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