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UEFA Champions League: Analyzing Paris St Germain in Group F Play

By Lauren Maharaj

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And the most exciting form of European football is coming into fruition with the Champions League draw.

Earlier Thursday UEFA announced the groups for this years Champions League, and so it seems the juggernauts have come out to play. Especially in the case for Group F’s Paris St Germain. The Ligue 1 champions were picked alongside Spanish giants Barcelona,  dutch club Ajax and Cyprus club APOEL FC(Athletikoa Podosferikos Omilos Ellinon Lefkosias). Although it is quite clear who the favourites are in Group F, Ajax and APOEL FC should not be discounted, like any opponent. Both sides won their respective league titles last season, as well as both sides have experience on the European football stage in the Europa & Champions League.

What makes this match up so interesting for PSG fans is that the clubs finest player, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played for both Ajax and Barcelona. Ibra made his first professional apperance in the Eredivisie League when he was 19 years old after his short professional career with Malmo FF. Fast-forward to a few Italian clubs later and Zlatan finds himself playing in the Camp Nou alongside long time great Messi and Henry. Unfortunately his magic spell ended quickly , only after a year due to his ongoing issues with Pep Guardiola

What furthers the excitement for the PSG and Barcelona stand-off is that during the 2012/2013 campaign the two teams met in the semi-finals. The first leg was at the Camp Nou where Les Bleus fought forward under previous coach Carlos Ancelotti to stun Barcelona under the pressures of the Spanish sky.  Most of the press prior to the game focused on Ibra’s dramatic return to the Camp Nou. Lucky for Paris, Messi was sidelined due to a perfectly timed injury and it seemed like the club finally had a chance to overwhelm Blaugrana. A distraught Messi watched as his club struggled to net a goal and against the will of his injury, came off the bench and the La Liga legends equalized and ended the game 2-2.

When the second leg took place at the Parc Des Princes, Les Bleus knew they had to  dominate Barca to over come the “away” goal rule. With lack of an engine in the midfield to create solid chances past Tito Vilanova’s defense, Paris failed with a 2-1 on away goals.

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Paris

have yet to propel themselves into a quarter final spot, but according to a recent interview with ESPN

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

is absolutely certain that the club finally has the squad to do it.

“I think we can win it. We have a good opportunity. This team is made to play in good tournaments. You need to work hard and to have a bit of luck with you. In the key moments, you need to have the small details on your side. I think we have that in our team now. We have more experience too, especially after last season. So we can do it”

The one thing Paris doesn’t have in common with its group rivals is its lack of European silverware. Ajax has won the champions league 4 separate times as well as Barcelona winning it 4 times. The tiny club from Cyprus has only has group stage appearance in Europe, but has had success in its own league championships.

Either way, the Parc Des Princes is growing to become a French fortress and its possible that one day it can become as overwhelming to play in as the Camp Nou. PSG were a few steps closer last year when the club shocked Chelsea fans with a staggering 3-1 win, leaving Jose Mourhino’s men a mountain to climb back in London. With the clubs Swedish powerhouse Zlatan suffered a hamstring injury in the first leg, the team slowly crumbled in the second leg.

There is only learning from that point and I believe Paris has a big point to prove this year. Not only from a financial stand point, but a French football stand point. Once the under dogs, now the elite. Paris St Germain are well on their way.

Revon Plus Grand!

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