PSG shocked the football world in the early morning of March 12 when they convincingly defeated Liverpool, thereby sending the English representative out of the Champions League.

Ousmane Dembélé’s goal helped Luis Enrique’s team win 1-0 at Anfield, erasing the fragile advantage Liverpool had after the first leg in Paris a week earlier.

With PSG overcoming their opponents on penalties thanks to a brilliant performance from Gianluigi Donnarumma, there is no denying that the more deserving side have booked their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face Aston Villa.

However, this is also a match that can make Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe watch from afar in shock.

Together with Neymar – the most expensive player in history, this trio of superstars was once expected to bring PSG to the top of Europe. However, instead of glory, they left behind unbelievable failures when the Paris team continuously fell in different ways.

The most noticeable point in PSG under Messi – Mbappe is the disunity within the team. At many times, the 3-man attack line is almost completely separate from the rest. They are an attacking trio that does not care about defense.

Now, the individual touch has been completely eliminated under Luis Enrique. Instead, he has built PSG into a more cohesive team than ever, reminiscent of the great Barcelona side he led a decade ago. While not quite reaching tiki-taka levels, PSG are the closest they have come to it.

Unity makes the difference

The “no stars” policy is perhaps best illustrated by the name of Mbappe’s replacement in Paris: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian star, signed from Napoli for €70 million in January, has consistently dropped deep to help defend, blocking Liverpool’s attacks on PSG’s left flank. Importantly, he does it with dedication, not half-heartedly as Mbappe once showed.

While Mbappe is often at the center of controversy because of his playing position and role, with “Kvaradona”, things are much simpler.

“When you play for PSG, the most important thing is to attack, to try to score goals and to give your all wherever you play. I just want to play, position doesn’t matter,” Kvaratskhelia said ahead of the Anfield game.

Although PSG have been playing this style for months, it was only when they beat Liverpool that people really took notice.

Before the match, former Italy striker Christian Vieri told CBS: “I predict the two finalists will be PSG and Barcelona. PSG are in their best form of the year. The way they played last week was the best they have played in the last 5-6 years. Tonight will be a test to see if PSG is really a big team.”

And PSG have proven that they are indeed a great team, which will probably make both Messi and Mbappe think again.