PSG’s Historic Streak Ahead of Clash with Barcelona

Paris on Alert: Return Match in Jeopardy for 7 Barça Players! Parc des Princes Bids Farewell to Their Team with Chants of “P*ta Barça” Barcelona faces a formidable opponent in the Champions League quarter-finals. Not even the recent draw against the bottom-ranked team alters an impressive record: PSG boasts 27 unbeaten matches across all competitions. Luis Enrique’s side will confront Barcelona this Wednesday in the Champions League without a defeat since November. With 19 wins and 8 draws since their last loss on November 7, 2023, at San Siro against Milan (2-1 defeat), PSG’s unbeaten run stands strong. This record even surpasses the club’s previous best of 37 consecutive matches undefeated during the 1993-94 season.

The draw against Clermont also marked Kylian Mbappé’s 300th appearance in a PSG shirt. Luis Enrique kept the forward on the bench until the threat of losing to the bottom team became real. When Kylian Mbappé entered the field, PSG stepped up a gear. However, Mbappé is facing a challenging season, especially since announcing his departure from the French club in June (with rumors pointing towards Real Madrid). This decision has shifted the spotlight on him, and the Parisian fans no longer treat him with the same adulation. Even Luis Enrique has adjusted his approach with Mbappé, acknowledging the inevitability of his departure.

Since announcing his departure, Mbappé’s status as an untouchable player has waned. He played 29 minutes against Nantes, 64 against Rennes, 45 against Monaco, 18 against Reims, 90 against Montpellier, 64 against Marseille, 90 against Rennes, and 24 against Clermont. In the 17 matches preceding his announcement, he played the full 90 minutes in 16 matches.

Against the bottom team, Mbappé, along with Dembélé, Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Fabián, and Vitinha, started on the bench. Luis Enrique opted to rest all his key players, and PSG’s performance fell short. Despite Keita’s opener for the bottom team, Gomes secured a draw. While disappointing, this result extended PSG’s unbeaten streak and kept them atop the league table (10 points ahead of Brest).

Luis Enrique has been preparing for the Barcelona clash for days. “I would like to see a great spectacle, a great show between two great teams, with sportsmanship prevailing,” he began.

“In sports, just like in life, you win many times, but you also lose many times, and I always respect all opponents, referees, opposing players, and their families. Because when mine is sad, the opponent’s is happy,” he reflected.