Even With Nine Players, PSG Are Unshaken

ATLANTA, SATURDAY — It has been proven once again that Paris Saint-Germain is currently the strongest team in the world. They were still able to win against Bayern Munich despite finishing the match with nine players. The individual quality in the PSG squad, such as Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele, made the difference.

PSG triumphed over Bayern 2-0 in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on Sunday (6/7/2025 WIB). The victory was hard-earned with nine players, after defender Willian Pacho and substitute Lucas Hernandez received red cards at the end of the match.

PSG had only been ahead for four minutes, through Doue's opener, when Pacho was shown a straight red card by English referee Anthony Taylor in the 82nd minute. Not long after, Hernandez, who had only played ten minutes, left the field at the start of injury time.

Instead of losing control, the team coached by Luis Enrique punished Bayern with a second goal through a transition situation. Dembele's first attempt hit the crossbar. The ball was regained by PSG. A few seconds later, Dembele successfully satisfied his curiosity in the 90+6 minute.

PSG, the reigning Champions League titleholder, can no longer be caught with the little time remaining. They not only won but also appeared more dangerous than Bayern when playing with only nine players. "We are ready to face anyone," said Doue when given the choice of potential opponents in the semifinals, between Real Madrid or Borussia Dortmund.

Although winning with a convincing score, PSG has actually just passed the toughest test of the tournament. Bayern played better as a team. However, PSG excelled in terms of individual player quality. Many players were able to make a difference through individual actions.

For example, Doue, who scored a sudden goal in a seemingly harmless situation. Veteran Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did not expect the ball to be shot. The 20-year-old forward appeared to want to make a cross, but instead shot with his left foot. The ball slid toward the near post. Neuer could only stand still.

The second goal was produced thanks to the sharp instinct of Dembele, who came on from the bench. However, wing-back Achraf Hakimi, who provided the assist, also played a significant role in the goal process. Hakimi successfully deceived three Bayern players simultaneously on the right side before delivering a cross into the penalty area.

"This is a match between two great teams. In the end, games like this are determined by small moments. Unfortunately, those moments did not favor us, and that is how we lost this match," said Bayern midfielder Konrad Laimer, who started the match as a right-back.

Bayern lacks a distinguishing figure following the loss of talented midfielder Jamal Musiala due to a horrific ankle injury in the first half. Bayern winger Michael Olise posed a threat several times. However, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma performed exceptionally well with five crucial saves.

PSG's difficulties

Hakimi stated that Bayern's playing approach is very similar to his team's. Both rely on intense pressure when losing ball possession. The goal is to regain the ball as quickly and as high as possible to initiate an attack. "That is what makes the match very difficult. We worked hard to make a difference," he said.

Bayern's trap turned out to be more effective in the match. Coach Vincent Kompany's strategy to play a man-to-man scheme worked. PSG's attacks, driven by metronomic midfielder Vitinha, were often cut off in their own half. PSG were not comfortable building attacks from below as usual.

Just look at the statistics, PSG was only able to record a successful pass accuracy of 76 percent. That number is far below their average throughout the tournament, 91 percent. Bayern also managed to make eight high turnovers or win the ball in the first 40 meters of the opponent's field. PSG only produced two high turnovers.

Bayern were really unlucky. After losing their young star, they had two goals disallowed for offside first. Harry Kane and his teammates had a penalty at the end of the match, but it was overturned by the video assistant referee (VAR).

PSG is confirmed to lose Pacho due to a red card sanction in the upcoming semifinal. They will be significantly disadvantaged. The 23-year-old defender is one of the most important players in PSG's defense. He, along with veteran defender Marquinhos, is consistently fielded by Enrique in crucial matches.

Marquinhos stated that they must not repeat similar carelessness in the next round. "Red cards always stem from small mistakes. We need to correct that. Details like that can determine the match. When we are outnumbered, it changes a lot," he explained. (AP/AFP)