It was the toughest game of the season, in his own words. The Allianz Arena, full to capacity, with 75,000 Bavarian supporters determined to overturn a spectacular 5-4 conceded at the Parc des Princes last week. A hostile context and therefore maximum pressure for PSG who secretly dreamed of returning to the C1 final. And in the face of all that, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia simply did what he has been doing since the start of the final phase of this Champions League, he was decisive and brilliant.
From the 3rd minute, he found Dembélé behind just after having combined perfectly with Fabian Ruiz at the start of the action. His work therefore made it possible to disrupt the plans of a Bayern team that dreamed big. For the Georgian, this decisive pass is not insignificant. It allows him to become the first player in the history of the Champions League to be decisive in seven consecutive matches in the final phase. Scorer against Monaco in the return play-offs. Decisive in the two confrontations against Chelsea (goal in the first leg, assist in the return) and Liverpool also paid the price (a goal in the first leg, an assist in the return). Double in the semi-final first leg against Bayern. And this decisive pass tonight to seal the record. Seven games. Seven direct contributions. A series that did not exist in history books before him. “We are really very happy to be in the final. Bayern are one of the best teams, it was a very difficult match, perhaps the hardest this season. We showed that we can play against these teams.he confided to the microphone of Channel+ at the end of the match. Sober, as always.
The Georgian on his cloud
What makes his performance even more impressive is everything that goes into it beyond the stats. Kvaratskhelia has been a constant nightmare for the Bavarian defense. Dribbling (100% successful dribbles), calls behind Laimer’s back, breakthroughs on the left side which made Bayern tremble. And if Michael Olise was ghostly in the opposing camp, unable to find space or eliminate Nuno Mendes, it is also because Kvaratskhelia never gave up in the defensive effort. Every time Olise tried something on his lane, the Georgian was already coming back to support the Portuguese defender.
This full defensive activity, which is not always read in the stats but which Luis Enrique demands of all his players, Kvaratskhelia provides it in every big match. This is precisely what makes him an irreplaceable player in this system. And that’s what makes the 25-year-old striker’s strength in this team. From now on, PSG will face Arsenal in the final of the Champions League, in Budapest, on May 30. And if Kvaratskhelia’s trajectory since the start of this final phase continues, the Gunners have reason to seriously worry. Since the round of 16, he has been involved in 9 goals in 8 matches. No player in Europe is doing better over this period. He was already the man of the big nights this season, he will have to be once again at the end of the month.
