Chelsea expose PSG

It seemed like they had become "supermen" after the great treble - Ligue 1, Champions League, National Cup - PSG finally returned to earth.

Not by another superpower, but by a young, well-organized and open-minded Chelsea. The 3-0 victory of Enzo Maresca and his team in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final on July 14 was not simply a title, but also a strong tactical statement sent to the rest of Europe.

PSG are not unbeatable. The question is whether you dare to play like Chelsea.

From suffocating pressing to mischievous courage

Enzo Maresca probably studied PSG very carefully. He did not choose to defend in large numbers like most of Luis Enrique's opponents, but actively suffocated his opponents from the very first minutes.

“We won in the first 10 minutes. That defined the whole game,” the Italian coach affirmed. And indeed, Chelsea stunned PSG with their fiery, fierce, high-pressing and constant individual pressure.

Unlike the way Ligue 1 teams often accept being pressured by PSG in terms of the game, Chelsea did not need to control the ball to control the game. Despite only having 33% of the ball, the English team completely broke PSG's attacking structure, isolating the trio of Dembele - Doue - Kvaratskhelia and cutting off the connection between the lines.

Vitinha - the heart of the possession system - was almost absent. PSG's shots were limited and clear-cut chances were rare.

If it weren't for a few brilliant saves from Robert Sánchez, Chelsea might not have kept a clean sheet. But overall, they played a much more organised and composed brand of football.

Vitinha disappeared in PSG's loss to Chelsea.

Chelsea's high pressing tactics are not only a way to disrupt play, but also an effective attacking tool. Cole Palmer's two goals both came from well-organized build-up play, in which defenders like Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto were given rare time and space to make decisive passes.

João Pedro's third goal further highlighted the damage PSG have suffered on the left flank - where Nuno Mendes and Lucas Beraldo are in charge.

Mendes has been one of the best left-backs in Europe this season, having "killed" Salah and Saka. But when faced with constant pressure from Gusto and Palmer, he became confused. Beraldo - who only started because Willian Pacho was suspended - was even more inexperienced and lacking in character.

All three of PSG's goals came from these two players, although they were not always directly at fault.

PSG lost their soul, Chelsea won the mentality

If Chelsea is a model of calmness and discipline, PSG has completely lost the image of the "superman" who made waves in the Champions League this season. Kvaratskhelia was lazy to support the defense, João Neves lost control and received a red card for pulling Marc Cucurella's hair.

Luis Enrique - who always appeared calm - could not keep his composure after the match, had a scuffle with João Pedro, before speaking bitterly: "We did not fail. We are just not champions today".

Dembele did not show much against Chelsea.

A 65-game season, harsh weather conditions and one less day off than Chelsea were cited as reasons. But clearly, their opponents also played 64 games, also playing in the scorching heat. Losing is losing. Reasons may be valid, but they cannot be excuses.

The big question is: have Chelsea found the formula to beat PSG? Their high pressing, courageous and well-organised style of play has clearly been much more effective than the passive defensive blocks that most teams have used against PSG.

However, only a handful of clubs in Europe have the quality, fitness and character to play that way. In Ligue 1 – where PSG are almost the undisputed financial and technical leader – teams will still choose the “low block” as the most practical solution. They have no other choice. PSG have just pocketed €116 million from the Club World Cup and have yet to start “shopping” this summer, while the rest of Ligue 1 has spent a total of €160 million, mainly on loan signings.

But in the Champions League, things are different. The big guys will look at Chelsea and learn. They understand that PSG is not an untouchable force. Just like Real Madrid was once neutralized by Jurgen Klopp with gegenpressing, or Barcelona in the tiki-taka era was crushed by Bayern with high pressing, PSG now also has a "reverse formula".

Chelsea didn't just win a football match. They won a battle of ideas - and that's what made the rest of Europe take notice.

PSG may still be kings of France. But when they step out into Europe, they will no longer be considered "supermen" - at least after the New Jersey night.

PSG suffered a crushing defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup final. Early morning on July 14, PSG lost to Chelsea 0-3 in the match to decide the Club World Cup title.

Source: https://znews.vn/chelsea-vach-mat-psg-post1568895.html