EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Few occasions in sports are as compelling as the clash of two powerhouse teams in a high-stakes match, a common scenario in the final stages of major tournaments. Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique emphasized the dynamic nature of the sport ahead of the Club World Cup semifinal against Real Madrid, suggesting the unexpected is always possible, even in an anticipated matchup.
“You know what has been the most beautiful thing from being a coach at this level, that is [for] both me and my colleagues, is that what you think today is valid today, maybe tomorrow but not for after tomorrow because the opponents adapt constantly,” he stated during a press conference on Tuesday.
Enrique`s point is valid. Just a year ago, World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe was settling into life at Real Madrid after seven seasons with PSG, with seemingly guaranteed success ahead. However, the transition hasn`t been smooth; Madrid has yet to win a trophy since Mbappe`s arrival, hampered by squad imbalance and a struggle to achieve tactical cohesion when Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo are on the pitch together. These difficulties don`t necessarily reflect Mbappe`s talent or the capability of Carlo Ancelotti, who initially faced the challenge of finding that balance.
Now, as Xabi Alonso inherits this difficult task, Enrique is quick to note that Mbappe`s situation is no longer a concern for him.
“What I can say is that it`s in the past,” Enrique remarked, reiterating this sentiment when asked about Mbappe multiple times. “I don`t have anything else to add to that.”
Enrique`s response was both professional and candid. While most managers avoid discussing players from other clubs extensively, Mbappe genuinely feels like a chapter closed for the French champions. Since his departure, PSG has undergone a transformation, building a new identity that propelled them to finally win the UEFA Champions League—a trophy that eluded them during Mbappe`s tenure and still remains out of his reach. Recently, Enrique and his players have playfully debated who deserves more credit for their success, with a mutual appreciation evident. Things are currently going exceptionally well for PSG, France`s first treble winners, positioning them as the team to beat in the Club World Cup.
While PSG was once known for assembling superstars like Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, prioritizing Enrique`s system has proven most rewarding. His distinctive, high-intensity, attack-oriented style makes them formidable opponents from the outset, overwhelming teams wide before concentrating numbers to score. This approach has brought out the best in established stars like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, rising talents like Joao Neves, and veterans who have waited for their moment, such as Ousmane Dembele. Though the mastermind, Enrique is not a dictator, deferring credit to his players.
“The greatness of PSG is that every day, I control less and less things, and that has a deeper meaning than just the headline that you will use tomorrow: `Luis Enrique does not control anything,`” he explained. “That is true. That is the greatness – the less I control, the more chances I have [of] the opponents not knowing what we are going to do and more chances that they take longer to adapt, and when they do adapt, it will be my task as a coach with my staff to try and find our way out of that so that we can make things unpredictable. That is our goal as a team.”
This strategic clarity makes PSG the clear favorites against Real Madrid, a notion that might have seemed unlikely a year ago when Mbappe switched clubs. Five games into Xabi Alonso`s time as Real Madrid`s manager, and weeks after he promised to implement a more modern tactical approach similar to his successful Bayer Leverkusen side, much about the team remains uncertain.
“First of all, I think it`s very difficult to analyze this Real Madrid,” Enrique commented. “Xabi Alonso is barely starting his work at Real Madrid, so it`s difficult to analyze and to assess what exactly Real Madrid is these days. What we do know is that they`re very strong individually, but as I said, they`re only getting started with Xabi Alonso as a head coach, so it`s always difficult to train a major team, but I believe Xabi Alonso has everything that he needs to rise to the challenge of this club.”
Part of that challenge involves navigating a familiar issue: finding a natural position for Mbappe, a problem Carlo Ancelotti also faced. While Rodrygo`s future is uncertain, Mbappe`s participation in the Club World Cup has been limited after dealing with gastroenteritis early in the tournament. Complicating matters is the emergence of 21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia, who has seized his opportunity, scoring four goals and providing one assist in five games and likely securing a place in the first team next season. Alonso has paired him with Vinicius out of necessity, but their partnership has been effective, raising genuine questions about the extent of Mbappe`s role in a match where, whether he plays or not, he is a central talking point.
His availability for Wednesday remains unconfirmed. He has played less than an hour in the knockout rounds, having missed the group stage due to illness. Alonso stated after the quarterfinal win over Borussia Dortmund that Mbappe was still not fully fit. Alonso could not provide an update on the French international`s status on Tuesday, as Real Madrid`s pre-match media session was cancelled following a flight delay.
The immediate question for Alonso is whether Mbappe can earn a place in the starting lineup with only two matches separating Real Madrid from potentially their first major trophy since the 2024 Champions League. This game could offer significant insights into how the new manager intends to solve the year-old puzzle of where the French international fits into the tactical plan.
This is just one of many contrasts between Real Madrid and PSG in a match that feels like an exercise in duality, not solely because one team has Mbappe and the other does not. PSG appears a finished product, while Real Madrid is understandably still under construction. Regardless of circumstances past, the situation favors PSG on Wednesday at MetLife Stadium, unless, of course, football`s inherent unpredictability prevails.
“We come from two very different situations,” Enrique concluded. “We have a coach that`s been here for two years and a new coach. These are two totally different scenarios. The beauty of football is that football doesn`t know about favorites or underdogs or starting projects or finishing projects or projects which are at its prime. The football knows about 90 minutes, 120 minutes where each team needs to showcase their skills, and that is what makes football great. It is impossible to predict what will happen and that any small detail can tip the balance and turn the game on its head. I think it`s going to be a thrilling game for football fans and also for each team`s fans, and I think tomorrow, we will see a beautiful match.”
