Anticipation ran high for the encounter between the last two champions of Europe, promising a clash of titans worthy of its considerable pre-match fanfare. Yet, the reality that unfolded at MetLife Stadium was starkly different from the projected spectacle. Paris Saint-Germain delivered a dominant performance, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Club World Cup semifinals. Far from a tight contest, this match served as a compelling, albeit uncomfortable, demonstration of the current disparity between the two sides.
The initial flurry of goals – Fabian Ruiz opening the scoring in the sixth minute, Ousmane Dembele adding a second three minutes later, and Ruiz completing his brace in the 24th – effectively extinguished any hope of a competitive fixture early on. While the speed of PSG`s assault may have initially surprised, by halftime, the one-sided scoreline felt less like an anomaly and more like an inevitability. As PSG manager Luis Enrique aptly noted beforehand, the two teams were indeed in “two very different situations,” a point underscored by PSG`s recent habit of dismantling high-profile opponents with clinical efficiency, such as their 5-0 dispatching of Inter in the Champions League final.
For Real Madrid, the defeat highlighted recurring issues that have plagued the squad, persisting even with new personnel like manager Xabi Alonso and emerging player Gonzalo Garcia. While PSG exhibits a remarkable consistency, applying the same relentless pressure whether facing fellow giants or less formidable teams, Los Blancos continue to grapple with fundamental imbalance. This instability proved costly throughout the recent season, culminating in their first trophyless campaign in four years and bringing their structural problems into sharp, unavoidable focus.
In contrast to PSG`s strategic shift away from an overt star-centric model, Real Madrid appears burdened by an excess of attacking talent that has yet to find cohesive integration. The match offered Alonso a chance to field a front line featuring Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Gonzalo Garcia in a central role. The statistical output from this trio was modest at best, contributing minimally to Madrid`s overall offensive effort of 11 shots and 0.75 expected goals with only 32% possession. While this single outing is not a definitive judgment on the players` individual quality or Alonso`s managerial capabilities, it serves as a clear indicator that finding the right balance involves more than just fitting star forwards together; it requires addressing deficiencies across the entire pitch.
Defensive vulnerabilities were particularly evident. The absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold due to injury necessitated flexibility, with Federico Valverde deployed at right-back. While Valverde`s versatility is undeniable, this position does not fully leverage his strengths, making the flanks vulnerable – a key area of PSG`s attacking prowess. More critically, the performance of the central defenders, Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asensio, was notably poor, seemingly frazzled by PSG`s attackers and arguably bearing more responsibility for the lopsided scoreline than the much-discussed forward line.
The match also marked the final appearance for Luka Modric, who came on for the last 25 minutes. It was an inadequate sendoff for a generational player. While Madrid`s decision to transition away from a player nearing 40, despite his continued ability and desire, is understandable from a long-term perspective, Modric could do little to influence a game that was already decisively lost. Beyond the end of Modric`s illustrious era – notably, the only player to break the Messi-Ronaldo duopoly on the Ballon d`Or for over a decade – this match felt symbolic. It signaled the undeniable necessity for a fundamental shift, for Real Madrid to embark on a new project.
With a new manager at the helm, the timing is opportune for a comprehensive refresh. The arrival of a player like Mbappe might suggest a team at its peak, but the reality revealed against PSG is that significant work is required across the board before the La Liga season commences. Alonso`s acknowledgment that players need rest after a demanding period underscores the challenge. A full-scale “rebuild” might not align with the traditional image of Europe`s most decorated club, but 13 months without a major trophy and a performance like this suggest it is no longer a matter of choice, but a strategic imperative, whether they embrace it or not.
