A Blockbuster Tie: PSG vs Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 has produced one of the most anticipated ties of the season as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Liverpool prepare to clash over two legs. With Liverpool making waves in the Premier League and PSG leading the charge in Ligue 1, the stage is set for a titanic battle. Both teams are brimming with talent and will rely heavily on their star forwards to tip the scales in their favor. Mohamed Salah and Ousmane Dembele, two of the most electrifying players in European football, are poised to be the heroes of this thrilling encounter.
Dembele’s Resurgence: A Tale of Triumph
Ousmane Dembele, once touted as a generational talent at Borussia Dortmund, has had a tumultuous six-year spell at Barcelona. However, since his move to PSG, the French forward seems to have found his groove again. In what is arguably his best scoring season ever, Dembele has netted 25 goals in all competitions, surpassing his previous best of 13 goals in the 2018/19 season. His manager, Luis Enrique, has likened Dembele’s current form to a "PlayStation character with the light above him," highlighting his confidence and exceptional performance. Since December, Dembele has been unstoppable, scoring 13 goals in his last nine league matches. This renaissance is particularly significant as it marks a return to the form that made him a sought-after prospect in his younger years, and it positions him as a key player for PSG in their quest for European glory.
Salah’s Consistent Excellence
On the other side of the channel, Mohamed Salah continues to bask in the limelight as one of Liverpool’s most reliable assets. The Egyptian forward has scored 30 goals in all competitions this season, a milestone he has reached five times in his eight seasons at Anfield. While he is not as prolific as his debut season where he scored an astounding 44 goals, Salah is well on track to surpass his second-highest tally of 31, which he achieved in the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons. His 25 league goals this season place him five clear of the nearest competitor, Erling Haaland, and put him in contention for his fourth Premier League golden boot, equalling Thierry Henry’s record. TNT Sports pundit Joe Cole has praised Salah’s contributions, placing him alongside football legends like Henry, Cantona, Aguero, and Gerrard. Salah’s ability to score and assist his teammates is a testament to his exceptional talent and commitment to the team.
A Balanced Threat: Assists and Playmaking
Salah’s impact on the pitch extends beyond his goalscoring prowess. The Egyptian has also recorded 22 assists in all competitions, 17 of which have come in the Premier League. This impressive tally is seven more than Bukayo Saka’s 10 and just three shy of the all-time record of 20 assists held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Arsenal’s former manager, Arsene Wenger, has lauded Salah’s recent performance against Manchester City, emphasizing that his exceptional playmaking abilities cannot be overlooked. For PSG, Dembele has provided six assists this season, though his best tally of 13 assists in a single season was achieved twice, once with Dortmund in 2016/17 and again with Barcelona in 2021/22. Despite the disparity in assist numbers, both forwards are crucial to their respective teams’ attacking strategies.
Champions League Performance: Setting the Stage for a Duel
In the Champions League, Dembele has had a breakthrough season, scoring six goals in the competition. All of these goals have come since the turn of the year, including a crucial strike in PSG’s stunning 4-2 comeback win over Manchester City and a hat-trick against Stuttgart. Dembele’s assist in PSG’s 2-1 defeat to Atletico Madrid further underscores his importance. Joe Cole has noted that Dembele is currently the most in-form winger in European football, a description that adds to the anticipation of his performance against Liverpool. Salah, meanwhile, has contributed three goals in the Champions League, having scored against Bologna, Girona, and Lille. His best Champions League tally of 10 goals, achieved in the 2017/18 season, is a benchmark he aims to surpass in this campaign. With both players in top form, the matches promise to be a showcase of attacking brilliance.
The Ballon d’Or Debate: Salah’s Legacy
While the "Messi and Ronaldo era" has dominated the Ballon d’Or awards, Salah’s consistent performances have made him a strong contender for the prestigious accolade. Despite his remarkable achievements, he has yet to win the award, which has often been attributed to the shadow cast by Messi and Ronaldo. This season, however, Salah’s exceptional form has led many to reconsider their stance. His contribution to Liverpool’s quest for a seventh European title and his standing among the Premier League’s greatest players make him an undeniable force. As the debate continues, his performances in the Champions League and the upcoming tie against PSG will undoubtedly be scrutinized.
How to Watch: PSG v Liverpool on TNT Sports
The first leg of this highly anticipated clash takes place on Wednesday, March 5, at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 UK time, with live coverage beginning at 19:00 on TNT Sports 1. Fans can subscribe to TNT Sports through various platforms, including discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media. For those looking to watch in local pubs or establishments, TNT Sports provides a Pub Finder tool to help locate showings. The second leg, which will be just as thrilling, is sure to be a must-watch event for football fans around the world. With both teams and their star forwards in fine form, the UEFA Champions League round of 16 promises to deliver a spectacle that will be remembered for years to come.
