Mbappé reunion, rival bosses with agendas, mouthwatering match-ups... all the key angles from Paris St-Germain vs Real Madrid

The second semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup on Wednesday is bubbling with tasty sub-plots as Paris St-Germain face fellow European heavyweights Real Madrid at MetLife Stadium.

Luis Enrique has already written a special chapter in the French club’s history this year, guiding them to a treble, while Xabi Alonso is just five games into his reign as Madrid boss.

As the rival bosses go head to head at MetLife Stadium, DAZN News highlights some key stories to watch out for.

Both semi-finals and the final are being show live and free on DAZN - you can sign up here for an account.

Kylian Mbappé – 'Friends reunited' with PSG

It would be a slight exaggeration to say that this match is all about Mbappé – but it wouldn’t be too far wide of the mark.

Certainly all eyes will be on the France striker and whether Alonso decides to hand him a starting role against his former club.

Mbappé quit Paris St-Germain last summer on a free transfer and reports in France this week claimed he had withdrawn a legal claim accusing his former club of extortion and harassment.

As he looks to dismantle his former club on the field, Mbappé appears back to something approaching his best form, having scored a stunning overhead kick in the 3-2 quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund.

Fireworks look guaranteed as he prepares to face PSG for the first time since his acrimonious departure, although starting on the bench again appears most likely given Gonzalo Garcia’s impressive Club World Cup form.

Getty Images

An historic quadruple beckons the Parisians

Paris St-Germain’s stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan in Munich saw them clinch their first-ever UEFA Champions League title.

That monumental success completed a treble for the French aristocrats, who already captured the Ligue 1 and Coupe de France trophies during the campaign.

Now, as they bid to add the Club World Cup to their bulging trophy cabinet, it is clear that Enrique is building something special.

And they have done it by playing a thrilling brand of football.

There has been a clear departure from PSG’s past approach of assembling superstars like Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Under Enrique, though, they have blossomed into the best team in Europe, noted for their intense, creative and skilful style of play.

That was seen during their opening 4-0 Club World Cup win over Atletico Madrid and in pretty much every game since.

True, there was a 1-0 loss to Botafogo in the second round of group games but they have won four of their five matches so far and conceded just one goal.

Enrique, the former Barcelona player, has put his faith in youth and changed the whole culture of the club, with their success chiselled on relentless work-rate and a collective desire.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia vs Trent Alexander-Arnold

Kvaratskhelia is a special talent who appears likely to come into direct contact with Alexander-Arnold.

The gifted Georgia international is a major threat down PSG’s left flank in a front three alongside Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele.

Alexander-Arnold knows Kvaratskhelia well from playing against him twice in the Champions League last season, when PSG dumped Liverpool out of the competition.

Alexander-Arnold’s defensive frailties have already come under scrutiny during the Club World Cup following his summer switch from Anfield.

He will certainly have it all to do against Kvaratskhelia and a PSG outfit who have won nine of their past 10 matches across all competitions.

(Getty Images)

 

Xabi Alonso aiming for much-needed silverware

For a club as illustrious as Real Madrid, who exist to win trophies, last season was tantamount to abject failure.

It was the first time since 2020-21 that Los Blancos had failed to lift a  piece of major silverware and led to Carlo Ancelotti leaving the Bernabeu in May.

Into his place strode Alonso, who made 236 appearances for the club, after leaving his role as Bayer Leverkusen boss.

Alonso, who won the Champions League as a player at Real in 2014, has looked and sounded the part since taking on arguably the biggest job in world football.

Knockout-stage victories over Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have put Alonso’s men within 90 minutes of reaching the final.

Delivering success in such a prestigious tournament, so early into his reign, would be a huge feather in Alonso’s cap.

Time for Jude Bellingham to shine

During the Club World Cup, the England midfielder has shown glimpses of the ability which has marked him out as one of the finest talents of his generation.

Now Alonso needs Bellingham to step up and prove once again how good he is.

A Club World Cup semi-final, against European champions PSG, is a fitting stage for Bellingham to do just that.

“It’s crucial [for us to succeed] because it was a poor season for us; we won some titles, but not the ones Real Madrid demands,” Bellingham said.

“This presents a significant opportunity to secure another trophy.”

 

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