PSG rides treble wave to challenge Real Madrid's tradition in Club World Cup semi-final

On one side, a team that is riding high on the Champions League title and has established itself among the giants of Europe with its engaging football. On the other, the greatest champion of the European continent, which sees this first Club World Cup organized in this format by FIFA (32 teams) as an opportunity to salvage a season in which it failed to win any trophies. It is in this atmosphere that Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid will close out the semi-finals this Wednesday at 4 pm at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey, in search of a place in the grand final.

The opponent for the final has already been decided. This Tuesday, at the same venue, Chelsea defeated Fluminense 2-0, with two goals from Brazilian João Pedro, and confirmed their presence in this Sunday's duel.

Backed by the victory over Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, the Parisian team is determined to close out an excellent season with yet another major achievement. Winner of the French Cup and also of the Ligue 1, coach Luis Enrique has put PSG on the highest shelf in Europe by winning the current edition of the continent's most prestigious club tournament. And the victory came in style, with a resounding 5-0 victory over the traditional Inter Milan.

At the World Cup, PSG imposed its attacking style and gave its rivals no chance. In five matches so far, they have won four, scored 12 goals, and conceded only one, a goal scored by Igor Jesus in the team's only loss of the tournament (a 1-0 defeat to Botafogo ), in the second round of the group stage.

For the match against the mighty Real Madrid, Luis Enrique has two certain absences. Sent off against Bayern, Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández were both ruled out for two games and will not play again, even in the event of a potential final. Unaware of this, Luis Enrique is banking on his team as a whole.

"We have experienced players who are used to playing big games. We'll be competing in a semifinal match, which is worth a spot in the final, and that's more than motivating," said the Spanish coach, who has made a name for himself at the club as one of the most successful coaches.

Normally considered the favorite in any tournament they participate in, Real Madrid (owner of 15 Champions League titles) have the World Cup as their last chance to lift a trophy in a season where Barcelona dominated Spain. Rebuilding after Carlo Ancelotti's departure to the Brazilian national team, the spotlight is now on replacement Xabi Alonso, who is playing his first tournament for the Merengue team.

Another character helps further elevate this match, which feels like a championship final. Revealed by his rival, Mbappé watched his former club conquer Europe from afar. Now, he has the chance to break the French side's winning streak, depriving PSG of a chance to qualify for the World Cup final.

Undefeated in the tournament, the Merengue club beat Juventus (1-0) in the round of 16 and had a bit of a scare against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals (3-2). For this duel, Xabi Alonso himself recognizes that the team needs to play better. "We are up against the Champions League champion and a team that plays beautiful football. We will need to be fully focused to achieve our goals," he said.

With Mbappé back in the team, having made his mark in the last game after recovering from gastroenteritis, Alonso can afford to use a trio formed by the French star himself, Vini Jr. and the newcomer Gonzalo García, the team's top scorer with four goals. In the clash between the trendy team and the biggest winner in Europe, the promise is that the fans have everything to attend a great clash.