Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a spot in the 2025-2026 UEFA Champions League (UCL) final after a thrilling 1-1 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg at Allianz Arena on May 7 (Korean time). With a 5-4 victory in the first leg at home, PSG advanced on a 6-5 aggregate score, setting up a final clash against Arsenal, who defeated Atletico Madrid.
PSG’s Resilient Performance
Despite the high-scoring first leg, PSG held firm in Munich to progress. Post-match analysis highlights how the team’s unity propelled them forward, contrasting sharply with past challenges.
Mbappé’s Absence Fuels PSG’s Rise
European observers note that PSG has reached the UCL final in both seasons since Kylian Mbappé’s departure, transforming potential weaknesses into strengths. Without Mbappé, players no longer shoulder excessive defensive burdens. He often required heavy marking and showed reluctance in pressing, occasionally sparking controversy with reactions to substitutions.
Current squad dynamics emphasize collective effort. Ousmane Dembélé, once criticized as Barcelona’s worst signing, now anchors the team. In the Bayern match, he motivated teammates from the bench after substitution, contributing to a cohesive display where egos took a backseat.
Real Madrid’s Ongoing UCL Drought
Meanwhile, Real Madrid faces a second straight season without major honors since signing Mbappé in 2024. Despite his impressive tally of 85 goals and 11 assists in 100 appearances, team cohesion suffers. Vinícius Júnior and Mbappé, both superstars, struggle to integrate defensively, hindering balance.
Officials confirm no issue with Mbappé’s output, but sources indicate his presence disrupts harmony. A British outlet remarked: “PSG reached the UCL final in both seasons after Mbappé left. Conversely, Real has struggled to secure trophies since signing Mbappé in 2024, eliminated in the UCL quarterfinals for two consecutive seasons.”
Under Luis Enrique, PSG captured elusive silverware last season by rallying around Dembélé, proving unity trumps individual stardom.
