Mbappe’s seven seasons in the French capital have brought four last-16 exits, a couple of semi-finals and a lone, lockdown final, when he missed a fine chance as Bayern Munich prevailed in 2020. In his valedictory campaign, PSG went out to a Borussia Dortmund team who are fifth in Germany just as, five years ago, they lost at home to a Manchester United side who were to finish sixth in England. They have lost as favourites, lost when they had a lead, lost in a variety of ways. They have gone out to Real Madrid and Bayern, to both Manchester clubs and now Dortmund. Manchester City’s triumph last season means each of their conquerors have now won the Champions League. PSG haven’t.
So Mbappe will decamp to Madrid, to a club who know how to win the Champions League, possibly to this year’s eventual winners. Arguably his best Champions League campaign remains his first, when Monaco were surprise semi-finalists in 2017. He has a record 255 PSG goals but none on this stage. He was subdued in his last semi-final, deprived of the oxygen of space by the Dortmund defence, miscuing perhaps his most presentable chance.
Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin May 09, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Independent dergisinin May 09, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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