Mbappe is the focus of the conflict between Real and PSG. |
In between them is Kylian Mbappe - who left Paris for Madrid last year. And in front is New Jersey - the site of one of the most anticipated matches in contemporary football.
If there was ever a worthy match of defining the inaugural Club World Cup in its new format, it would be Real Madrid vs PSG. A match that embodies everything modern football stands for: power, money, ambition and unresolved feuds.
Two champions and two philosophies
Real Madrid and PSG are the two most recent European champions. One is led by Luis Enrique, who has brought PSG a style of play that is diverse, sharp and has a team spirit rarely seen in the club's history. The other is led by Xabi Alonso, who is gradually building a Real Madrid with a new, modern identity but without losing the spirit of the team that won the Champions League 15 times.
PSG arrived in the United States with a certain arrogance. On July 6, they defeated Bayern in the quarterfinals with a style of play that varied, controlled the game when needed and exploded at the right moment. Enrique's team was no longer just a group of flashy names – it was a solid unit, enduring and able to strike. They entered the semi-finals with the demoness of a team accustomed to winning.
Real Madrid are different. They arrived at the Club World Cup not with the glory of the last champion, but with the mentality of a team growing up every day. The victory over Dortmund was proof of that transformation. Alonso did not hesitate to experiment: from the four-man defense to leaving Mbappé on the bench – all were steps to enrich Real's new identity.
Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are finding their identity again. |
What is remarkable is that Real are rediscovering the Spanish identity that has been overshadowed in recent years. After a long streak of 46 goals from foreign players, they have just had 4 consecutive goals from domestic players, including Fran García - a new discovery full of energy.
The story that has grabbed all the attention, meanwhile, is Mbappe. The semi-final in New Jersey will be his first against PSG since leaving last summer. The split has not been a happy one. Years of simmering rifts erupted at the end of the season, and now it will all be exposed on the pitch.
Mbappe is not only a player who has brought glory to PSG, but also a symbol of the tense relationship between the two clubs. From the fights over his signature, to the rumors in the media, and even the thrilling matches in the past - Real and PSG have never been "normal" opponents.
Enmity and Desire for Domination
This semi-final will be the 13th time the two teams have met. History is slightly in Real's favor (5 wins - 4 losses - 3 draws), but each confrontation is a dramatic new chapter. The last time, in March 2022, Real won 3-1 after a crazy comeback, with Alaba "seated" and President Al-Khelaifi's unbridled anger in the dressing room.
This time, it was more of a match. It was a clash of two philosophies: a team that once conquered with fame, now trying to find itself again with strategy and identity; a team that was once considered “lacking tradition”, now wants to rewrite history with real titles.
PSG are very difficult to beat. |
Real Madrid vs PSG is more than just a football match. It is a clash of the ages. One represents a legacy, the other a symbol of globalized football. One is redefining identity, the other is a winning machine running smoothly. And at the center is Mbappe - a man defined by both worlds , and trying to write his own next chapter.
New Jersey, in mid-July, will be the scene of one of the most tense, fiery and haunting semi-finals in club tournament history.
A match that can leave the winner walking away with his head held high… and the loser feeling bad for years to come.
Source: https://znews.vn/real-gap-psg-la-man-va-cham-cua-hai-de-che-post1566377.html
Comment (0)