Champions League

PSG just two goals away from Champions League history

Luis Enrique’s side could break a long-standing European record in Saturday’s final against Arsenal.

Luis Enrique’s side could break a long-standing European record in Saturday’s final against Arsenal.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT
Roddy Cons
Digital sports journalist
Scottish sports journalist and content creator. After running his own soccer-related projects, in 2022 he joined Diario AS, where he mainly reports on the biggest news from around Europe’s leading soccer clubs, Liga MX and MLS, and covers live games in a not-too-serious tone. Likes to mix things up by dipping into the world of American sports.
Update:

Paris Saint-Germain have earned plenty of praise for their free-flowing, attacking brand of soccer under Luis Enrique, and it could lead to them making Champions League history in Saturday’s final against Arsenal at Puskás Arena in Budapest.

PSG have scored 44 goals in this season’s Champions League, just one shy of Barcelona’s all-time record of 45, which the Spanish club set in the 1999-2000 season. One goal would see the French champions equal the record, while two would allow them to claim it outright.

PSG closing in on Barcelona record

With Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué leading the attack, two goals should not be out of reach, although PSG are coming up against one of Europe’s most formidable defenses.

Mikel Arteta’s team conceded only four goals in eight games during the league phase, two of which came after they had already secured qualification for the round of 16. Additionally, the Gunners go into the final having allowed just two goals in their last seven matches.

Arsenal defense faces biggest test

PSG’s 44 goals have come in 16 games, an average of 2.75 per match. Barcelona’s 45 goals also came in 16 games, an average of 2.81 per match, although the Catalan club did not reach the final in 2000.

The 1999-2000 campaign was one of several seasons in which the Champions League featured two group stages, meaning teams had to play 17 games to win the tournament. That remains the maximum number of matches a champion can play in the current format if they are involved in the knockout phase playoff round.

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