Real Madrid vs. PSG, a newfound rivalry in Champion’s League

The UEFA Champion´s League produces some of the game´s most unforgettable moments. The mouth-watering match-ups can bring together players who put everything on the line for their teams. These matches can grow into intense rivalries that always seem bigger than the last. Real Madrid vs. PSG a new rivalry among Europe’s biggest clubs.

Real Madrid and Paris St. Germain (PSG) have met in the Cup Winners Cup of 1993/1994, the Europa League of 1992/1993, and Champion’s League of 2015/2016 in a group with Malmo and Shakhtar Donetsk. Real Madrid and PSG went through as heavy favorites with Real Madrid finishing in first place with 16 points and no losses. PSG finished three points behind; their only loss was to Real Madrid. While the meeting was an intense clash of two great clubs, it lacked the urgency of a knockout-round fixture.  Malmo and Shakhtar finished the group with a measly three points each and didn’t really test the character of the Real Madrid and PSG squads. Now with all to play for and no room for error, the stakes are even higher and the desire for Real Madrid to win a historic third consecutive UEFA Champion’s League title is going directly against PSG’s hunger to prove themselves as a top club not only domestically, but throughout the continent. With the winner getting the chance to continue the hunt for glory and the loser going home, the first round knock out matches between Real Madrid and PSG are sure to be a good indication of how far a team can go in the tournament.

Real Madrid vs. PSG is a new rivalry in football, also because of the individual players on the teams. Real Madrid are current title holders and are the first club to ever retain the trophy and are looking to be the first to win it three times in a row. Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo is looking to prolong his BalonD’or form and add to the nine goals in the six matchesto further etch his name in Real Madrid history. Players on Real Madrid like Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Kroos and Modric know what it takes and are some of the best at their craft. PSG has had an average of 4.17 goals per game and finished the six group stage matches with record 25 goals. The attacking trident at PSG of Neymar, Mbappe and Cavani is always dangerous.  Neymar must be watched especially close as he has had experience against Real Madrid with his time at Barcelona and has ignited many attacking chances in the past. Each team has a strong financial backing and the ability to sign a starting-eleven of world-class players. With the amount of talent that will be on the pitch I expect to see the teams fight a tremendous battle to earn a spot in the next round of the competition.

In addition to the intensity of the match and the great players on the pitch we must also consider the fan on the sideline.  Being a Real Madrid fan does come with a little more hate than most clubs. People love to hate Cristiano. People love to hate Real Madrid because they “spend too much money” on players.  With many people hating on Real Madrid it adds to the off-field intensity that makes a true rivalry. When Real Madrid plays any match Barcelona and Atletico Madrid fans are already praying for the downfall.  With the match vs. PSG most people will want to see Real Madrid so they can be knocked off a pedestal, or because they are fans of a rival team. As a Real Madrid fan you kind of have to stick with your own because it’s just something not everyone understands.

To be sure, there other games that can be just as intense and with class players and while those matches may be very entertaining, they don’t contain a club that has established itself as a top team over the past decades and a club that is maturing and has the proper tools to become a power in world football. For that Real Madrid vs. PSG is a new rivalry in world football.