This Wednesday evening, Paris Saint-Germain won 1-4 (video highlights Stuttgart/PSG) against Stuttgart on Matchday 8 of the Champions League 2024-2025 league phase at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Here, we present you with some of the highlights and lowlights of the victory.

Tops –

Dembélé

He never stops scoring and being decisive. We’ve all criticized him for being too inefficient, and rightly so, but it seems that the work he’s doing in line with Luis Enrique’s demands is paying off. We can only congratulate him. A hat-trick with PSG is something to celebrate, especially as the team is doing so well this year and will be going for qualification in a two-legged play-off.

Qualifying

Two games ago, PSG were in a very difficult situation. Today, the team seems to have put a lot of things right. That doesn’t mean we can or should get carried away, but we need to savour the moment and not be constantly projecting. What’s more, PSG are in the top half of the play-off places and will be hosting the second leg.

A solid, hard-working team

Neves, still monstrous at times, Vitinha the metronome, Hakimi the ice wiper, Marquinhos and Pacho the rocks, Doué the impetuous, Donnarumma the albatross – once again we saw players of great quality. But what really counts is the group, the state of mind, the desire to smother opponents and leave nothing but crumbs. We don’t know how far PSG will go, but since the start of the season, apart from one or two games, we’ve seen a team that dominates outrageously. And while efficiency has been lacking at times, it has to be said that most teams are dominated by this aggressive, dominant and inspired PSG.

Flops –

Zaire-Emery’s injury

Ankle injury, but tests were reassuring. Of course, that’s never good news, especially as the Parisians don’t have an abundance of players to replace such a unique profile. We’ll keep our fingers crossed and wait, as the deadlines come thick and fast.

The conceded goal – a Parisian speciality

Even if it’s only anecdotal, PSG dropped off the pace again at one point and saw their opponents score their little goal. Although it’s only logical to see Paris calmly deal with the situation, it’s worth noting that every time this happens, it ends in a goal.

Brest or Monaco

A 100% French duel for the play-offs. It’s either PSG/Brest or PSG/Monaco in two-legged duels. We would have preferred more “European” duels, to have a better chance of seeing as many clubs as possible in the Champions League Round of 8. On the other hand, we can say that this guarantees another club (along with Lille) to play in the last 8 in France. We’ll have the answer on Friday.