There’s no question that PSG have progressed significantly since the 2010/11 season; when they ended up fourth in Ligue 1, took part in the UEFA Europa League, and concluded the season without any trophies.
Following the takeover by Qatar Sports Investment in the summer of 2011, PSG have enjoyed over €1.3 billion worth of investment in their squad, and during this timeframe, they have secured eight league championships and 21 domestic cups.
Nevertheless, despite this impressive collection of silverware and the acquisition of some of the globe’s top talents over the past 12 years, the UEFA Champions League continues to elude them. But will the Parisians ever conquer the UCL, and what adjustments are necessary for them to attain this goal?
How Have PSG Performed in the Champions League?
Before the Qatari investment, PSG participated in five European Cup or Champions League campaigns, reaching the semi-finals in 1994/95 before being narrowly defeated by Milan.
Naturally, continuous domestic triumph has led PSG to become regular participants in the UCL since 2010, during which they have competed in 11 consecutive tournaments.
However, this streak has only produced two semi-final appearances and a lone final, the latter occurring under the brilliant guidance of German coach Thomas Tuchel in the 2019/20 season. In other instances, they have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage on four different occasions while also experiencing five round of 16 exits from the competition.
This season also witnessed PSG being knocked out in the round of 16, as Bayern Munich easily secured a 3-0 aggregate victory in a surprisingly uncompetitive two-legged matchup.
Recently, PSG have also suffered from some undesirable UCL records. In 2018/19, they became the first team to be eliminated from a two-legged tie after securing a two-goal advantage in the first leg away from home, facing a weakened Manchester United, who remarkably overturned their 2-0 deficit to win 3-1 in Paris and progress due to the away goals rule.
In the 2016/17 season, they also became the first side to be ousted after winning the first leg 4-0 at home, as Barcelona demolished them 6-1 at Camp Nou, adding to the emotional burden for the Parisians in this competition.
What Do PSG Require to Win the UCL?
After reaching the semi-finals in 2020/21, PSG have been eliminated in the last 16 on two occasions since then, and in reality, they seem further away than ever from securing the Champions League title.
What, then, needs to change for the club to fulfill their ultimate ambition? It seems likely that current manager Christophe Galtier will depart in the summer, and the club must have a clear strategy and plan in mind when selecting his successor.
There certainly is more to an elite manager than mere qualifications, and whether they recruit a proven victor like Jose Mourinho (who has been rumored for the position) or a more innovative thinker like Julian Nagelsmann, it is vital that the PSG management have a distinctly outlined vision and timeframe for achieving success.
They should also consider appointing a manager with a specific playing style and philosophy, as this can aid the club’s comprehensive approach to recruitment and youth nurturing.
Indeed, nurturing and retaining young talent may be essential to PSG’s future progress, both in fostering a positive culture within the club and lowering operational expenses moving forward.
Take note that players like Moussa Dembele, Christopher Nkunku, Adrien Rabiot, and Kingsley Coman (who netted the decisive goal in the 2019/20 UCL final defeat) all originated from the PSG youth system but were subsequently allowed to leave, which is not appropriate for a team that aims to clinch the greatest honors.
The Final Thoughts
These actions would signify a notable shift in approach for PSG, and it may also necessitate the departure of high-profile figures that have become emblematic of the club’s disappointments on the international stage.
This could entail the sale of Neymar, while Lionel Messi has also been speculated to make an emotional return to Barcelona. The new manager could then construct a team centered around the influential Kylian Mbappe, assuming he opts to stay in the French capital.
From this point onward, PSG must progress carefully and strategically, while managing their aspirations as they endeavor to establish a football club that can realise the lofty ambitions of its owners.
