PSG Find Ominous Form Going Into Champions League Knockouts

Paris Saint-Germain have made a habit over the last decade of going into the Champions League knockout stages with doubts over their form and the fitness of key players, but this season appears to be different. The French champions could hardly be in better shape ahead of the first leg of their play-off tie against domestic rivals Brest, for which they are overwhelming favourites. PSG's stuttering European form at the tail end of 2024, when defeats against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich left them in danger of being eliminated early from the Champions League, is now firmly behind them.

Luis Enrique's team swept aside Manchester City and Stuttgart to secure a place in these knockout phase play-offs, scoring four goals against each opponent.

They could hardly have asked for a kinder draw in the play-offs either, given that they have been beaten just once in their last 61 games against French sides.

Qatar-owned PSG's enormous financial advantage over every other French club helps explain that, but they still looked like genuine contenders to win the Champions League as they thrashed Monaco 4-1 in Ligue 1 on Friday.

"PSG with their quality especially up front can be a threat for every team," said Monaco's Adi Huetter after that game.

"For me they are a candidate to win the Champions League."

It appears that the Parisians have now adapted to life without Kylian Mbappe, in large part thanks to the sensational form of Ousmane Dembele.

Mbappe's France teammate has 16 goals in his last 10 appearances, and an astonishing eight in his last three matches.

That includes a hat-trick in PSG's 5-2 victory in Brest in Ligue 1 just over a week ago.

Bradley Barcola has been back to something like his best form in recent weeks