Paris St. Germain, in the Kylian Mbappe era, has failed yet again in its UEFA Champions League dream after failing to mount a comeback in the second leg of its semi-final match against Borussia Dortmund.
After the first leg results, the team came to the game down 0-1 on aggregate, but betting odds still have them as favorites to advance to the next round.
Rio Ferdinand thinks results could have been different if only Mbappe was his usual self.
The Arsenal legend is not convinced the PSG star was at his best during the match.
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"This was unusual for Kylian Mbappe," he said during an appearance on TNT Sports.
"He's a guy we're accustomed to seeing at the biggest moments, on the biggest stage, when it's all on the line.
"All through his career he's stepped up to the plate, but over the two legs here he was very subdued. He wasn't decisive, he wasn't clinical."
Although Mbappe did not produce a goal as expected, PSG was the better team, statistically.
They had more shots, 30-7, while their five shots on target were better than Dortmund's 3. They also dominated the possession, 70 against 30.
Dortmund scored the only goal through a Mats Hummels header in the 50th minute. From there, PSG tried to stick to its game plan, but it just could not convert.
While Ferdinand was critical of the way Mbappe played, he also recognized that BVB's game plan to contain the PSG star worked.
Kylian Mbappe blames himself for the loss
It is easy to understand where Ferdinand is coming from.
Mbappe is a big-time player who shines on the biggest stage. The World Cup winner has already proved that he is ready to lift a team.
For his part, Mbappe is hard on himself because he echoes Ferdinand's opinion of him.
"I tried to help my team the best I could. It wasn't enough. When you're talking about efficiency at both ends, I think I'm the first in question," the 25-year-old told reporters after the match.
"I'm the one who should score the goals and make the difference. I have no problem with that, the first person who should have scored tonight is me."
With the loss, PSG now faces the possibility of entering a new era after a failed squad overhaul in the past years.
The team once had Neymar and Lionel Messi to strengthen their bid for their first-ever Champions League trophy.
Both superstars left, and Mbappe could be next.
Mbappe upset by Real Madrid question
The Kylian Mbappe-Real Madrid link-up has been persistent since the start of the 2023-2024 season.
Reporters were quick to ask the Frenchman about Real Madrid shortly after the painful loss.
They asked whether he would support the Los Blancos in their semis tie against Bayern Munich.
Mbappe seemed to have not liked the question though as he only rolled his eyes and then stormed out of the press conference.
The transfer is only a rumor until the Spanish football giants introduce Mbappe.
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