Pires Backs PSG To Break Champions League Duck
Former Arsenal and France winger Robert Pires has backed Paris Saint Germain to finally break their UEFA Champions League hoodoo this season.
The French champions have never progressed beyond the quarterfinal stage of Europe’s Premier club competition despite significant investment on marquee signings in recent seasons.
Qatari Sports Investment, led by Nasser Al-Khelaifi bought the Paris-based club in 2011, intending to transform it into one of the world’s most powerful clubs.
While they have been able to dominate the French League since Al-Khelaifi’s acquisition, winning Ligue 1 in all but two of the last eight seasons, PSG have flattered to deceive in Europe.
The Parisians crashed out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage last season after throwing away a healthy 2-0 first leg advantage against Manchester United, losing 3-1 in the return leg at the Parc des Princes.
As usual, this season has started promisingly for PSG as they boast four wins from as many games heading into Tuesday’s encounter with Real Madrid.
Pires, who lost the 2006 Champions League final with Arsenal, believes it is about time PSG joined Olympique Marseille in becoming the only French clubs to have won the coveted big-eared trophy.
Asked whether PSG have what it takes to go all the way in the Champions League this season, Pires told Omnisport: "Yes, of course.
"Sadly for France, only one club won it and it’s Olympique de Marseille. PSG invests a lot of money and bought big players to put its name on the trophy.
"It will be tough, but I think Paris has the qualities to win the Champions League."
