Being able to watch a competitive match between PSG and Real Madrid in July has its benefits if you’re Barcelona.
In Spain and Europe, these two are the Blaugrana’s main rivals at the moment.
Most likely, when Barcelona defends their Spanish crown, they will be doing so against Xabi Alonso’s new look Los Blancos. In the Champions League, it seems certain that Real Madrid and PSG will be top contenders. And that’s the area where Barcelona has the most to prove in Hansi Flick’s second year.
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So what did we learn in the Club World Cup semifinal between the two European juggernauts?
First, PSG are absolute monsters, and they may be even better in the coming season. They have the advantage of playing in France, where they will have more opportunities to rest their gala eleven, and will be full of confidence in the Champions League, the competition that they will surely prioritize from the jump.
Under Luis Enrique, they keep getting better and better. Now, they are resembling a mature, well-drilled team, that is executing on the pitch with style and pure instinct. They put the game against Real Madrid away in the first ten minutes, dominating possession, pressing like machines, and finishing their chances ruthlessly.
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid CF: Semi Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
You could say that Antonio Rüdiger and Raúl Asencio made big errors that gifted PSG the opening goals. In reality, however, Ousmane Dembele caught both of them off guard by pressing and counter pressing with focus and determination.
This is no accident. This is the system that Luis Enrique has built, and his talented, united team are making winning look easy.
Real Madrid now have a lot of thinking to do over the next month.
But first, those players really need rest. Even more than Barcelona, they would have benefited from taking this tournament off to collect themselves, and start to rebuild under the new manager. I’m not sure how much Xabi Alonso can take from these games, so early on in his tenure, without having time with his players on the training ground first.
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid CF: Semi Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Kylian Mbappé will likely, once again, put up big numbers. He continues to grow in confidence as a Real Madrid player, and now looks poised to take the reins as their leader into the future.
But that won’t necessarily equate to team success.
Xavi Alonso has incredible attacking talent, but they don’t like to overexert themselves defensively.
Since the departure of Toni Kroos, their midfield has struggled to control games and create chances.
Their defensive line, however, still looks to be the most uncertain element of all. Thank goodness for Thibaut Courtois, Madridistas must be saying, or else the 4-0 embarrassment could have turned into a total humiliation.
Paris Saint-Germain v Real Madrid CF: Semi Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Barcelona ultimately need to keep working on themselves.
Real Madrid has plenty of time to learn and grow as a group, just like PSG did last season. Xabi Alonso has already proven himself to be a talented manager, and shouldn’t be underestimated.
If there’s one thing I take from PSG, in particular, is how easy their game looks tactically.
Barcelona are a brave attacking force under Hansi Flick, but sometimes it looks like they’re are throwing caution to the wind defensively.
FC Barcelona v Real Madrid CF - La Liga EA Sports Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Luis Enrique’s pressing system in 2025 has truly been world class in its consistent efficacy. Meanwhile, they aren’t giving anything up in their intention to attack aggressively and with as much possession as possible.
They know when to put the foot on the gas, and when to slow it down. How to build from the back, but also how to win the ball in advantageous parts of the field to maximize goal scoring chances.
Luis Enrique really is a Barcelona man, and he has brought those principles to PSG, to great success.
To be the best, Barcelona has to beat the best.
And at the moment, that team is in Paris.