FEATURE | Three things we learned as PSG embarrass Chelsea at Stamford Bridge | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain did more than just see out the job at Stamford Bridge as they built on their 5-2 win at the Parc des Princes the previous week, netting a further three goals (0-3) to win 8-2 on aggregate. We look at three things we learnt as PSG secured their progression in the UEFA Champions League

PSG’s forwards fuelled by frustration?

When Khvicha Kvataskhelia arrived last January, it was difficult to understand the vision. It left PSG with four elite-level forwards (Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Kvaratskhelia) vying for three positions. One would always miss out, bar the odd exception when Doué was dropped deeper into the midfield. It was considered a problem; PSG have made it a solution.

The player absent has proved the difference-maker in recent games. Against AS Monaco, it was Doué who was benched. He funnelled his frustration into something positive, coming off the bench early in that game at the Stade Louis II to net a brace. Those goals helped turn a two-goal deficit into a one-goal advantage going into the second leg.

Against Chelsea last week, it was Kvaratskhelia who missed. A physical freshness coupled with the mentality of having a point to prove combined to create a devastating impact. The Georgian scored a brace to give PSG a comfortable lead heading to Stamford Bridge. 

And when you earn your place, you have to fight to keep it. Doué was on the bench for this one, but, in order to maintain the status quo, Kvaratskhelia put in an excellent first-half performance in London, scoring the opener and running Mamadou Sarr ragged. The former RC Strasbourg Alsace defender was subsequently hooked at half-time.

Senny Mayulu is another player vying for a spot in that front-line, although he is not yet at a point where he can be considered elite. Like Doué and Kvaratskhelia in recent weeks, he made the most of his time on the pitch off the bench, netting PSG’s third.

James hamstrung, Chelsea too

Reece James came out of the tunnel just before kick-off, but he didn’t take his place on the pitch, but rather one row behind the Chelsea substitutes; he wasn’t kitted. Over the weekend, there was the good news about a contract extension, swiftly followed by an announcement that he would be absent for several weeks with a hamstring problem.

Malo Gusto is a worthy understudy and, with James often pushing up into midfield, he has had plenty of game time this season, using it to good effect. But he wasn’t there either. The Frenchman was suffering from cold-like symptoms, did not train on Monday, and did not make the teamsheet on Tuesday. Bringing in Sarr in a slightly unfamiliar right-back slot always felt like a recipe for disaster, especially knowing that he would come up against Kvaratskhelia. And lo and behold, it was. It was a difficult situation to manage, but perhaps a baptism of fire for the young Sarr was one of the worst solutions to that problem. 

Safonov consolidates his position

PSG had five shots on target and scored three. Two of them Robert Sanchez could do little with, granted. At the other end, PSG’s goal was impenetrable thanks once again to Matvey Safonov. The Russian goalkeeper has ended the ambiguity about the No.1 jersey. When he replaced Lucas Chevalier, brought in for big money from Lille OSC in the summer to replace Gianluigi Donnarumma, it felt like a short-term measure. Tough love would bring the best out of Chevalier, billed as France’s next No.1.

But as time passes, as Safonov continues to convince, the No.1 jersey becomes more and more his own. He made nine saves on the night, including a strong one from Cole Palmer in the first half. He brings an assuredness that Chevalier did not in the opening months of the season. It is difficult to imagine Luis Enrique reinstating Chevalier during the run-in. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle – reporting from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea