EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A high-stakes encounter between two footballing powerhouses like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in a Club World Cup semi-final naturally draws attention. While the match itself is a predictable climax for such a tournament stage, PSG manager Luis Enrique chose to emphasize the inherent unpredictability and rapid change within the sport.
“The most beautiful thing about coaching at this level,” Enrique stated in a pre-match press conference, “is that what you believe today is valid for now, perhaps tomorrow, but not necessarily the day after, because opponents are constantly adjusting.”
Enrique`s point is well-taken. Just a year ago, World Cup winner Kylian Mbappé was beginning his journey at Real Madrid after seven seasons in Paris, seemingly destined for immediate success. However, his time in Madrid hasn`t been without hurdles. The team has yet to claim significant silverware since his arrival, facing issues with squad balance and finding cohesion, particularly when Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo are on the field together. These challenges don`t negate Mbappé`s talent or the capabilities of Carlo Ancelotti, the manager who initially faced the task of integration.
Now, as Xabi Alonso steps into this demanding role, Enrique is quick to distance himself from the discussion, emphasizing that Mbappé is no longer PSG`s concern.
“What I can say is that it`s in the past,” Enrique reiterated, deflecting questions about his former player. “I have nothing further to add.”
This response reflected both courtesy and genuine sentiment. While managers often avoid lengthy comments on rival players, Mbappé truly feels like a chapter closed for the French champions. Since his departure, PSG has reinvented itself, a transformation that underpinned their success in finally capturing the UEFA Champions League – a trophy that eluded Mbappé during his tenure there. Enrique and his players have recently debated the key to their success, with both coach and squad mutually crediting each other. For PSG, life is currently excellent; they are France`s first treble winners and now the team to beat in the Club World Cup.
Historically, PSG might have been known for accumulating superstars like Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, but prioritizing Enrique`s tactical system has yielded the most significant rewards. His unique, intense, and attack-focused approach makes PSG formidable from the outset, overwhelming opponents on the flanks before overloading defenses to score. This setup has benefited established stars like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, rising talents like Joao Neves, and veterans like Ousmane Dembele, who have waited for their moment. While Enrique is the architect, he sees himself less as a puppet master and more as a facilitator, attributing credit to his players.
“The strength of PSG is that every day, I control less and less,” he explained, giving this statement a deeper meaning than a simple headline might suggest. “That is the greatness – the less I control, the more likely our opponents are unsure of our next move, and the longer it takes them to adapt. When they do adapt, my staff and I will work to find a new way to remain unpredictable. That is our team`s objective.”
This makes them the clear favorites against Real Madrid, a scenario perhaps difficult to imagine a year ago when Mbappé switched clubs. Five games into Xabi Alonso`s leadership at Real Madrid, and weeks after his promise to implement a more modern tactical style akin to his successful Bayer Leverkusen side, much about the team remains unknown.
“First of all, it`s very challenging to analyze this Real Madrid team,” Enrique admitted. “Xabi Alonso is just beginning his work there, so assessing their current identity is difficult. What we do know is their individual strength. But as I said, they are just starting with Xabi Alonso as head coach. Managing a major club is always tough, but I believe Xabi Alonso has the qualities needed to meet this challenge.”
Alonso`s challenges include a familiar problem from Ancelotti`s era: finding the optimal role for Mbappé. While Rodrygo`s future is uncertain, Mbappé`s playing time in the Club World Cup has been limited after dealing with gastroenteritis. Furthermore, the emergence of 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia, who has seized his opportunity with four goals and an assist in five games, potentially securing a first-team spot next season, complicates Mbappé`s integration. Alonso has paired Garcia with Vinicius out of necessity, and their partnership has been effective, raising genuine questions about Mbappé`s prominent role in a match where, for better or worse, he is a central figure.
Mbappé`s exact status for the semi-final remains unconfirmed. He has played less than an hour in the knockout rounds, having missed the group stage due to illness. Alonso indicated after their quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund that Mbappé was not yet 100%. Further updates were unavailable as Real Madrid`s pre-match media session was canceled due to a delayed flight.
The immediate question for Alonso is whether Mbappé can earn a starting spot with only two games remaining before Real Madrid`s potential first major trophy since the 2024 Champions League. This match could provide crucial insights into how the new manager plans to solve the year-old tactical puzzle of Mbappé`s best fit in the team.
This is one of many differences between Real Madrid and PSG, making their semi-final a study in contrasts – extending beyond the presence or absence of Mbappé. PSG appears to be a complete, settled unit, while Real Madrid is clearly still a work in progress. Regardless of last year`s events, the current situation seems to favor PSG at MetLife Stadium, unless, of course, football`s inherent unpredictability intervenes.
“We come from very different places,” Enrique observed. “We have a coach who`s been here two years versus a new coach. These are completely different scenarios. The beauty of football is that it doesn`t care about favorites, underdogs, new projects, finishing projects, or projects at their peak. Football is about 90 or 120 minutes where each team must demonstrate their skills. That`s what makes it great. It`s impossible to predict the outcome; any small detail can shift the balance and turn the game on its head. I anticipate it will be an exciting match for all football fans, as well as for the supporters of each team. Tomorrow, we will witness a beautiful game.”
