Peter Rutzler, a journalist for The Times, was invited by Le Parisien to discuss the evolution of Paris Saint-Germain’s image in England ahead of their Champions League round of 16 second leg (a 5-2 victory in the first leg) against Chelsea on Tuesday evening (kick-off at 9 pm, broadcast on Canal+). He used some blunt words.
“This match has reinforced people’s opinion about the strength of PSG.”
“This team is respected, and that had never been the case in England since QSI took over. It’s a nightmare to play against Paris. The victory against Inter Milan was a turning point here. This match has reinforced people’s opinion about the strength of PSG. We always knew that facing PSG would be difficult. But we had the impression that they had weaknesses. That’s much less the case now.”
This was already the case in France, and it’s safe to assume it was even more pronounced in England: despite its stars, PSG wasn’t fully taken seriously as a team. This was partly unfair, given their impressive performances in the Champions League. But it was also understandable, considering their inconsistency, some resounding failures, and the constant controversies surrounding certain players.
Since 2023, PSG has shifted its focus, always prioritizing the club and the collective. And, contrary to some opinions at the time, they’ve also maintained a strong focus on having high-quality players. This has allowed them to forge a team that commands respect, even in an England often quite closed off to foreign football. The fact that Paris defeated Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa in the same season also left them with few options. This could continue tonight against Chelsea; they can’t afford to slip up.
