Paris Saint-Germain’s progression to the Champions League semifinals may have revealed some cracks in their armor, but it also signaled a key milestone in the transformation of Luis Enrique’s youthful squad.
Despite a 3-2 loss at a fired-up Villa Park, PSG edged past Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate—showing resilience and growth in a match that tested their nerves. While the reigning Ligue 1 champions looked shaky at times, particularly after letting a 2-0 lead slip, they avoided the kind of collapse that has haunted them in past European campaigns.
This season, however, things feel different. Where previous PSG sides might have crumbled, Luis Enrique’s group bent but didn’t break. Their composure after falling behind to a 3-2 scoreline on Tuesday offered a glimpse into a team learning how to suffer together and manage high-stakes situations.
“We didn’t play our best, that’s obvious,” admitted Luis Enrique. “But I saw a team that fought and stayed united through adversity. That’s something new.”
The groundwork had been laid in Paris, where a 3-1 first-leg victory gave PSG the edge, with Nuno Mendes’ late goal proving crucial. Still, Villa’s relentless second-leg pressure exposed PSG’s lingering vulnerabilities: errant passes, rushed decisions, and moments of panic that gave the English side belief.
Yet unlike previous heartbreaks—like the infamous 2017 “remontada” against Barcelona or the last-minute elimination by Manchester United in 2019—this time, PSG held firm.
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics in goal were pivotal, his world-class saves offering a steady hand amid the storm. Captain Marquinhos, who endured the Camp Nou collapse eight years ago, reflected on the growth.
“I’ve lived through painful nights,” he said. “But today, we stayed united when it mattered. We still have a lot to improve—because these mistakes won’t be forgiven in the semifinals.”
PSG will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid next, with a place in the final at stake.
With an average age under 25, PSG’s current project under Luis Enrique is built on long-term vision rather than instant gratification. Even midway through the 2023–24 season, the Spanish coach openly acknowledged that he was laying the foundation for the following year.
Gone are the high-profile names that once dominated the headlines. In their place, a new generation of homegrown talents has emerged—players who showed poise under pressure during the last-16 clash with Liverpool and again in Birmingham on Tuesday.
For the first time in years, PSG aren’t advancing with bravado—but with battle scars, hard-earned lessons, and perhaps, finally, a bit of steel.