Real vs PSG is a clash of two empires

Mbappe is the focus of the clash between Real and PSG.

In between them is Kylian Mbappe - who left Paris for the white of Madrid last year. And in front is New Jersey - the site of one of the most anticipated matches in contemporary football.

If there was ever a match worthy of defining the inaugural Club World Cup in its new format, it would be Real Madrid vs PSG. A match that embodies everything modern football stands for: power, money, ambition and unresolved feuds.

Two champions and two philosophies

Real Madrid and PSG are the two most recent European champions. One is led by Luis Enrique, who has brought PSG a style of play that is diverse, sharp and has a team spirit rarely seen in the club's history. The other is led by Xabi Alonso, who is gradually building a Real Madrid with a new, modern identity but without losing the spirit of the team that won the Champions League 15 times.

PSG arrived in the United States with a certain arrogance. On July 6, they defeated Bayern in the quarterfinals with a style of play that varied, controlled the game when needed and exploded at the right moment. Enrique’s team was no longer just a group of flashy names – it was a solid unit, enduring and able to strike. They entered the semi-finals with the demeanor of a team accustomed to winning.

Real Madrid are different. They arrived at the Club World Cup not with the glory of the last champion, but with the mentality of a team growing up every day. The victory over Dortmund was proof of that transformation. Alonso did not hesitate to experiment: from the four-man defense to leaving Mbappé on the bench – all were steps to enrich Real’s new identity.

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid are finding their identity again.

What is remarkable is that Real are rediscovering the Spanish identity that has been overshadowed in recent years. After a long streak of 46 goals from foreign players, they have just had 4 consecutive goals from domestic players, including Fran García - a new discovery full of energy.

The story that has grabbed all the attention, meanwhile, is Mbappe. The semi-final in New Jersey will be his first against PSG since leaving last summer. The split has not been a happy one. Years of simmering rifts erupted at the end of the season, and now it will all be exposed on the pitch.

Mbappe is not only a player who has brought glory to PSG, but also a symbol of the tense relationship between the two clubs. From the fights over his signature, to the rumors in the media, and even the thrilling matches in the past - Real and PSG have never been "normal" opponents.

Enmity and Desire for Domination

This semi-final will be the 13th time the two teams have met. History is slightly in Real's favour (5 wins - 4 losses - 3 draws), but each confrontation is a new dramatic chapter. The last time, in March 2022, Real won 3-1 after a crazy comeback, with Alaba "seated" and President Al-Khelaifi's unbridled anger in the dressing room.

This time, it was more than a match. It was a clash of two philosophies: a team that once conquered with fame, now trying to find itself again with strategy and identity; a team that was once considered “lacking tradition”, now wanting to rewrite history with real titles.

PSG are very difficult to beat.

Real Madrid vs PSG is more than just a football match. It is a clash of the ages. One represents a legacy, the other a symbol of globalised football. One is redefining identity, the other is a winning machine running smoothly. And at the centre is Mbappe - a man defined by both worlds , and trying to write his own next chapter.

New Jersey, in mid-July, will be the scene of one of the most tense, fiery and haunting semi-finals in club tournament history.

A match that can leave the winner walking away with his head held high… and the loser feeling bad for years to come.

Source: https://znews.vn/real-gap-psg-la-man-va-cham-cua-hai-de-che-post1566377.html