PSG-Liverpool (2-0): a new masterpiece signed by maestro Kvaratskhelia

“Awaken the Hulk in you!” » It’s obviously easier to say afterwards, once we know the end of the film. But the CUP, this Wednesday evening, could have completely anticipated the movement, personified the praise for the strong member of the gang by replacing, in the center of the magnificent tifo deployed in the Auteuil corner before kick-off, the face of Doctor Bruce Banner, with that of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

If there is one in Paris who perfectly followed the injunctions of the Parisian ultras to show his explosive temperament on the pitch, who was inspired by the greenish colossus of the Marvel universe to show off his muscles and play the indestructibles in the Reds’ box, it is the new captain of the Georgian selection.

If the capital club has, during this quarter-final first leg, won a seventh match in a row without defeat against an English club in the Champions League (six wins one draw) and has already taken a giant step towards the last four of the event, the native of Tiflis is obviously not for nothing.

Fifth top scorer in the Champions League

He who had already lit up the double confrontation against Chelsea in the previous round – he scored a double in the first leg at the Parc des Princes and a clear left strike at Stamford Bridge – confirmed that English clubs, in general, and the Champions League, in particular, seemed to inject shots of adrenaline into his veins.

This is perhaps also what the Parisian number 7 reminded the public at the Parc when he, in the 66th minute, celebrated his evening masterpiece, by tapping the veins of his left arm with his index and middle fingers.

Of the thirteen goals scored by the Georgian since the start of the season, eight have now been in the most prestigious of European competitions, which ranks him 5th top scorer in the competition, behind Mbappé, Kane and tied with Haaland. The figures say a lot about the Georgian’s complete score: 93% passing accuracy, 7 duels won out of 10 and, for the defensive side, 2 successful tackles, 2 recoveries and 3 clearances.

“I think we had the chances to score more, we should have scored more”

Against the Reds, Kvaratskhelia not only scored his fifth goal in a row in the competition over the last four matches. He, after Désiré Doué’s delightful opening score, above all liberated the Parisian people at the end of high-class collective and individual action.

“I think we had the opportunities to score more, we should have scored more,” he declared after the match. But it’s good, we had a good match. We have to play at Anfield, the atmosphere will be crazy there. We will be ready. »

As if to better magnify the playing philosophy advocated by Luis Enrique, it was after 27 passes, including a final delicious and perfectly measured one from João Neves, that Kvaratskhelia played through the Reds’ defense. The solidity of a “Green Giant” to resist the return of Gravenberch behind his back, then the finesse of a clinician to feign Mamardashvili and score the winning goal with his own composure… This is how the Parisian number 7 will have made Arne Slot’s Reds pale a little more. And gave color to a PSG which, this Wednesday evening, found its superhero.