PSG take on the visitors Inter Miami in the round of 1/8-finals of FIFA Club World Cup. The match will be played on Sunday, June 29th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, GA).
For the first time in their history, the Parisians won the Champions League, while also traditionally adding the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup to their trophy cabinet. Ahead of the Club World Cup, the club’s management publicly declared their goal—to win yet another trophy. Luis Enrique enjoys excellent working conditions in Paris, having a star-studded squad and the resources to strengthen it further. For example, this year they signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, adding even more creativity and depth to their attack. PSG are renowned for their attacking football and their ability to dismantle any opponent—as seen in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. Moreover, their defense has looked very solid in this tournament, conceding only one goal in three games. The Parisians also extended their unbeaten run to 17 matches across all competitions, showing excellent form both domestically and internationally.
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Inter Miami are a highly hyped team. With Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets in the squad, the American side constantly attracts attention. However, it must be noted that these star players are no longer in their prime years. While their presence makes a significant impact in MLS, it’s highly questionable whether it will be enough against a powerhouse like PSG. In fact, without these veterans, the rest of Inter’s squad is fairly average, particularly in defense. Even in MLS, the team managed just three clean sheets in 16 games. Although Inter remain unbeaten in this tournament, they have hardly looked like a dominant force. Most of their points were earned with considerable difficulty and a fair amount of luck. For example, they barely escaped defeat against Al Ahly, surviving thanks to a missed penalty in stoppage time. Additionally, their recent 2-2 draw against Porto highlighted serious defensive issues, especially when facing teams capable of sustained pressure.
PSG are clear favorites for this clash. The French giants are among the top three contenders to win the Club World Cup. During the group stage, they did allow themselves to relax, suffering a surprising loss to Botafogo. Therefore, I expect a much more focused performance from PSG in the knockout rounds. Especially considering the extra motivation of facing Lionel Messi. Inter Miami managed to qualify from a relatively weak group, but at no point did they look like a team in control of their games. Even Egyptian side Al Ahly came very close to beating them, missing a decisive penalty. Another concern for Inter is their tendency to try and control possession, which is a dangerous game against PSG and could easily lead to a heavy defeat. On the flip side, playing defensively is not Javier Mascherano’s style either, which leaves them exposed. I simply don’t see how the hosts’ defense can handle PSG’s attacking firepower, and a handicap of -1.5 goals in favor of the French side looks like the absolute minimum.
Prediction for the match: PSG to win with -1.5 handicap.
