Eight months after Chelsea stunned Paris Saint-Germain with a 3-0 victory in the inaugural expanded Club World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, the teams clash again in the Champions League round of 16 at Parc des Princes. This rematch highlights unresolved questions for both sides.
PSG’s earlier 3-0 loss ended their aura of dominance built through much of early 2025, including a decisive Champions League final win over Inter. Questions linger: Do they remain Europe’s top team? Chelsea’s triumph marked the peak of recent progress, but skeptics wonder if it was a one-off amid unusual U.S. summer conditions.
Significant shifts have occurred. Gianluigi Donnarumma now plays for Manchester City, Enzo Maresca is without a club, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has joined Everton. These changes frame the upcoming tie.
What the Final Confirmed
Luis Enrique’s PSG Thrives on Fluidity but Proves Vulnerable
PSG dominated globally before the final, blending top performance with captivating play. Luis Enrique’s system features seamless rotations among forwards Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, and Désiré Doué, plus midfielders Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz, and João Neves. Full-backs Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi add attacking drive, dismantling defenses with speed and skill.
Chelsea countered effectively with an aggressive press. Enzo Fernández, João Pedro, and Moisés Caicedo led high up the pitch, while Reece James advanced from midfield alongside Pedro Neto and Cole Palmer. Center-backs Levi Colwill and Trevoh Chalobah pushed beyond midfield, forcing long balls that Chelsea recovered easily.
Players adapted dynamically: Colwill tracked Ruiz, Caicedo covered centrally, and Marc Cucurella shadowed Doué as Neto marked Hakimi. This flexibility disrupted PSG. Chelsea dropped into a compact low block when needed and attacked via Malo Gusto pinning Mendes, freeing Palmer centrally.
Gusto sparked the opener by pressuring Mendes off Robert Sánchez’s launch, setting up Palmer’s finish. Palmer and João Pedro’s clinical finishing sealed a first-half lead PSG couldn’t overturn.
Désiré Doué Emerges as PSG’s Game-Changer
Doué shone least among PSG’s forwards pre-final but starred in their 5-0 Champions League final rout of Inter with two goals and an assist. He delivers in big European ties, rescuing a play-off leg versus Monaco.
In the final loss, Doué threatened most: crossing for Kvaratskhelia, shooting from distance at Sánchez, and creating Dembélé’s best chance post-break. His flair elevates PSG, positioning him as a future Ballon d’Or threat despite inconsistent output. Chelsea must prioritize him.
João Pedro Proves Elite as No. 9
João Pedro, signed from Brighton for over £50 million ($68.5 million), adapted instantly. He scored twice against Fluminense en route to the final, then dismantled PSG with a trademark chip over Donnarumma after Palmer’s pass.
Without prior elite striker credentials, he has elevated further under Liam Rosenior, netting 11 goals in 12 recent games. PSG requires a sharper strategy against him.
What the Final Didn’t Predict
Cole Palmer’s Peak Form Wasn’t Sustained
Palmer excelled in the U.S., dominating Benfica, Palmeiras, and PSG. Outshining Ballon d’Or winner Dembélé, he scored a precise sidefoot, a dazzling solo strike with feints, and assisted João Pedro stylishly.
However, post-final output dipped: five non-penalty goals and three assists amid a groin issue. Under Rosenior, flashes return, but Chelsea needs his best versus PSG.
Enzo Maresca Didn’t Secure His Chelsea Future
Maresca’s tactical masterclass and squad rotation fueled joy in victory’s final moments. Yet Chelsea denied him a new deal despite rewarding others, signaling trouble.
November’s Premier League manager award preceded complaints of hierarchy issues. Talks with Manchester City emerged, leading to a 2026 parting. Rosenior now aims to match that feat.
Not Proof of World’s Top Teams
PSG rebounded quickly from the loss; Chelsea sparked title talk. Reality differs: Chelsea sit fifth in the Premier League, 19 points behind Arsenal, repeating flaws. PSG lead Ligue 1 by one over Lens, far from their peak.
Injuries hit hard post-tight schedules: Colwill returns from ACL tear, Palmer and Fernández limited; Ruiz out for first leg, Dembélé and Neves recent absentees. Neither seems Champions League favorites, but their stylistic clash promises excitement.
