Ensemble PSG Podcast

Paris Saint-Germain lost the battle against FC Bayern Munich, but they won the war and will advance to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by James Teague, JC, and Carl-Oscar Källström (albeit a little late), to break down PSG's 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes that was ultimately just enough to see Les Parisiens through to the next round via the away goal rule.

Up first, I ask the panel if the best team advanced. So much was made of Bayern's performance in the first leg and how statistically, they outplayed PSG, but at the end of the day, it was Mauricio Pochettino's squad that scored the goals needed while the Germans wasted chance after chance.

The opening 45 minutes for PSG was especially thrilling. Neymar Jr. was sensational and reminded everyone why he's considered one of the best. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to find the back of the net and instead hit the post and crossbar while attempting to score. Kylian Mbappé was at his best as well, but he was called offside numerous times as he attempted to exploit Bayern's high defensive line once again. I ask the panel what they thought of PSG's superstars and whether this was their best performance for PSG to date.

While Neymar and Mbappé get all of the headlines, we give some love to PSG's defensive unit who held on in the waning minutes under intense pressure from Bayern. Idrissa Gueye, Presnel Kimpembe, Colin Dagba, Danilo Pereira, and Keylor Navas were outstanding on the night and I ask the guys just how they managed to only allow one goal.

Next, we discuss Pochettino and what he did tactically to frustrate Bayern Munich. Was his decision to not play Marco Verratti and Alessandro Florenzi the right one? I also ask the guys whether or not they believe if former manager, Thomas Tuchel, would have been able to advance past Bayern.

After the match, many pundits had to give PSG credit for their accomplishments this Champions League season, but one, in particular, felt like he needed to take a shot at the club, its best players, and the French league. Jamie Carragher, who is a former Liverpool FC player and current pundit for CBS Sports, tried to make the point that Neymar and Mbappé have no business playing for PSG because of the perceived weakness of Ligue 1. His argument, as I understand it, is that those players are only in Paris for the money and he even goes as far as to say PSG is not a big club. You can watch a clip of the comments below and you know we go in on Mr. Carragher for his foolish comments.

To wrap up the show, we look ahead to the semi-final tie against Manchester City and discuss which players in their squad PSG may have trouble with over two games.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

It's been an up-and-down season for Paris Saint-Germain but when the bright lights of the UEFA Champions League are on, they've delivered more often than not.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Guillaume Delaporte and Carl-Oscar Källström to break down PSG's surprising 3-2 victory over Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the Champions League.

We begin the show with our overall thoughts on the result. Most PSG Talk contributors were cautiously optimistic about PSG's chances but scoring three away goals against arguably the best team in Europe was unexpected.

Statistically, Bayern dominated PSG everywhere except for goals scored, and the reason why could be blamed on their arrogance in thinking they could get away with a high defensive line like they did in last season's Champions League final. This time, Kylian Mbappé was able to exploit the high line to the tune of two goals. Will Hans-Dieter Flick set up his team the same way in the return leg knowing he needs goals to advance to the next round or can PSG expect a tactical change?

After the match, much of the conversation centered around who wasn't on the pitch for Bayern. Robert Lewandowski was out injured and many speculated that if he were fit, he would have finished several of Bayern's scoring opportunities. However, PSG was without Marco Verratti, Leandro Paredes, and was down to their third-string full-backs. Should Mauricio Pochettino and PSG get more credit for this result considering who they were without?

Towards the end of the show, we switch gears slightly and discuss a recent New York Times article in which the author writes about the plethora of talent in the Paris region and PSG's inability to bring those players through their academy and into the starting lineup. Could PSG's new training facility make the difference and help the club keep the best players in the French capital?

We close the show by discussing other results around the Champions League including whether Borussia Dortmund can pull off the upset over Manchester City.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

The international break is underway but there is still plenty to discuss when it comes to Paris Saint-Germain.

On the latest PSG Talking, I'm joined by Matt, Cose, and Guillaume to evaluate the state of the club at a pivotal point in the season.

We begin the show with a recap of PSG's 4-2 win over Olympique Lyonnais that saw Les Parisiens move to the top of the Ligue 1 table. Has PSG become a team that performs at its best when the pressure is at its highest? Also, we analyze what Mauricio Pochettino has done tactically to get the most out of Kylian Mbappé.

Next, the panel shares their thoughts on the UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw against FC Bayern Munich. Have the Germans gotten worse since last year's final? Is being the underdog actually a good thing for PSG?

We conclude the show by discussing Neymar Jr.'s impending contract situation and whether the club should put provisions in place to protect themselves given his injury history. We also answer a few questions sent in by listeners.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

Whew! It was downright painful to watch but Paris Saint-Germain are through to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League after a 1-1 draw against FC Barcelona (5-2 on aggregate).

On the latest episode of PSG Talking, I'm thrilled to be joined by James and Carl-Oscar, two contributors we haven't had on the show in a while but are passionate PSG supporters who know their stuff.

We begin with our overall thoughts on a match that most supporters would call disappointing. Sure, PSG drew and advanced to the next round over their European rivals, but Barcelona's dominating performance definitely puts manager, Mauricio Pochettino, under the microscope (especially after the decision to start Julian Draxler).

Miraculously, PSG did score first via a Kylian Mbappé penalty in the first half and we debate whether the penalty should have been given at all after incidental contact on Mauro Icardi.

Speaking of penalties, the match turned on its head right before halftime when Layvin Kurzawa conceded a penalty. Lionel Messi, coming off a rocket shot to tie the game, stepped up to take the penalty that was ultimately saved by Keylor Navas.

That effort alone would have made Navas the Man of the Match but the Costa Rica international made one spectacular save after another on the night and he showed why PSG moved on from players like Alphonse Areola and Kevin Trapp.

In the second half, Pochettino used all of his substitutions, including taking off the struggling Kurzawa for Abdou Diallo. We discuss the manager's decisions, Diallo's surprisingly excellent performance, and how Angel Di Maria helped PSG close out the game.

We wrap up the show by discussing the team's we hope PSG draws in the quarter-finals, whether Messi will come to PSG in the summer, and TV shows/movies we're watching at the moment. After that 90 minutes of hanging on for dear life, I think we all could benefit from watching something non-football.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

For Paris Saint-Germain supporters, March 10, will either bring closure to one of Europe's biggest football feuds or, re-open a gaping wound that the club may never recover from. No pressure!

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Matt, Guillaume, and Cose to discuss PSG's recent performances in Ligue 1, Neymar Jr.'s return from injury, the return leg against FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, and so much more.

Up first, it's all about the battle for Ligue 1. Currently, PSG sits two points behind Lille OSC in the table thanks to an inexplicable loss to AS Monaco following the 4-1 win over Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League tie. PSG was able to rebound against Dijon FCO and Girondins de Bordeaux, but how confident should fans be that PSG can defend their title?

Next, we switch gears to talk Champions League and Neymar in particular. The PSG superstar is back in training but should the club risk further injury by rushing him? Considering Barcelona's recent comeback against Sevilla FC in the Copa del Rey, PSG could use all the firepower they can get to see out this tie and advance to the next round.

Our crew shares their predictions for the match as well as potential starting lineup options for Mauricio Pochettino to consider. We may get some insight into what the manager is thinking this Saturday when PSG takes on Stade Brestois 29 in the Coupe de France.

We wrap up the show with some light-hearted conversation about Juan Bernat's birthday cake, Everton FC supporters, and we share some of the TV shows and movies that are keeping us occupied between matches.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

***Visit https://manscaped.com​ and use code PSGTALK to receive 20% off and free shipping***

Paris Saint-Germain's 4-1 win over FC Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League was predicted by very few but celebrated by every supporter around the globe.

On the latest PSG Talking podcast, I welcome Mel, Matt, Guillaume, and Ty to break down the game and pinpoint just how Mauricio Pochettino got it so right against PSG's hated European rivals.

We start by asking the panel to give their overall thoughts on the match. From Leandro Paredes' masterclass in midfield to Layvin Kurzawa surprisingly strong performance at left-back, we discuss the players who made it all happen for Paris.

One player who deserves a lot of credit for the result is Kylian Mbappé who scored a hat-trick on the night. After struggling to score in the Champions League under the previous manager, Thomas Tuchel, what did Pochettino do to unlock Mbappé?

Later in the show, I ask whether or not this result has killed Barcelona. Lionel Messi is out of contract at the end of the season and the reported financial issues at the club are dire. It could be a long time until we see this club seriously challenging for a Champions League title and PSG played a large part in that.

The show concludes with a discussion about whether Neymar Jr. should play in the return leg against Barcelona if he's not 100% healthy. If he does and scores a goal, should he celebrate?

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. You can also show your support by visiting Manscaped.com and using the code PSGTALK at checkout for 20% off and free shipping.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

***Visit https://manscaped.com​ and use code PSGTALK to receive 20% off and free shipping***

It's that time of year again. The knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League begins on Tuesday, February 16, for Paris Saint-Germain and as luck would have it, they face their most hated European rival–FC Barcelona.

On this episode of PSG Talking, recording on Valentine's Day, I'm joined by fellow contributors Ty, James, and Guillaume, to preview the highly anticipated Round of 16 tie between PSG and Barcelona.

Up first, we check in with Ty who gives us a recap of Barcelona's season so far and explains how they're just hitting their stride at the right time. He also names a few players who could cause major issues for Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, and the rest of PSG's defense.

Next, we discuss the impact of Neymar Jr.'s injury. Should Mauricio Pochettino have risked him mid-week against Ligue 2's Stade Malherbe Caen? How big of a blow is this to PSG as they prepare for Barcelona?

We also debate PSG's best formation and lineup for the clash against Barcelona? Should Moise Kean get the start? Is Layvin Kurzawa the best option at left-back? Should Marquinhos play defensive midfielder? Tactically, should PSG go down fighting or park the bus?

The show concludes with us finishing a simple sentence, "PSG will advance past Barcelona IF..."

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. You can also show your support by visiting Manscaped.com and using the code PSGTALK at checkout for 20% off and free shipping.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

***Visit https://manscaped.com​ and use code PSGTALK to receive 20% off and free shipping***

Before the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers battled for the NFL Championship, there was the real big game between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Cosé, Guillaume, and Matt to discuss the 100th installment of Le Classique in which PSG won 2-0 thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé and Mauro Icardi. Is the team evolving for the better under manager Mauricio Pochettino or is there still work to be done before the meeting against FC Barcelona in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League?

We also discuss the potential long-term absence of Angel Di Maria who was subbed off in the first half after assisting Mbappé's goal with what appeared to be a muscle injury. If the Argentine is unable to play against Barcelona, how big of a loss is that for PSG?

Next, we switch gears and discuss PSG's recently released Jordan Brand fourth kit. The bold kit gets its design from "the nebula in space, where stars are born and ties into the PSG philosophy of creating stars for the ages." We debate whether this kit is a hit or miss and what it's like seeing people wear the PSG badge as a fashion statement with likely zero knowledge of the club.

Later in the show, we discuss Neymar Jr.'s contract extension with PSG that isn't official but seems to be a forgone conclusion. What does it say that a player like Neymar wants to stay in the French capital? We debate that and the recent comments made by ESPN FC's Craig Burley who basically wants Neymar to take less money to play in a more "competitive league."

We conclude by making our picks for who we want to win the NFL championship game and have a quick chat about Ligue 1, which if you haven't seen the table lately, is very competitive.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. You can also show your support by visiting Manscaped.com and using the code PSGTALK at checkout for 20% off and free shipping.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

***Visit https://manscaped.com​ and use code PSGTALK to receive 20% off and free shipping***

Things are looking up for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. We've already seen one trophy celebration and with a new manager at the helm, the squad appears to be playing more attractive and cohesive football. Is it all roses at the Parc des Princes or is there underlying causes for concern?

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by fellow contributors Cose, Guillaume, and Matt to discuss PSG's 2-1 win over Olympique de Marseille in the Trophée des Champions. What positives are we seeing from the squad under new manager, Mauricio Pochettino, and what still needs work? Do we know what his preferred starting lineup will be moving forward?

Neymar made a brief appearance in that match against Marseille and in 25 minutes, he was the most fouled player on the pitch. With his feud against Álvaro González spilling over to Twitter, should the league step in to stop it or will it only add fuel to the fire of this rivalry?

Later in the show, we do our best to explain the situation regarding Mediapro, television rights, and Ligue 1. What are the very real consequences facing the French league with a serious lack of cash funneling into clubs? What role should PSG play in helping prop up the league?

We also give new meaning to PSG's slogan of "Dream Bigger" and debate whether or not Pochettino should play Neymar against Marseille on February 7, just one week prior to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match against FC Barcelona. You can have your say via the Twitter poll below.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. You can also show your support by visiting Manscaped.com and using the code PSGTALK at checkout for 20% off and free shipping.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.

As the calendar turns to 2021, Paris Saint-Germain are on the verge of a new era with the official departure of Thomas Tuchel and the expected arrival of a highly anticipated manager.

On this episode of PSG Talking, which was recorded on January 1, I'm joined by long-time contributors Guillaume and Matt to discuss the managerial situation at PSG. Should fans be optimistic about Mauricio Pochettino returning to the club he once captained as a player or was sacking Tuchel premature? Is Pochettino that much better than Tuchel tactically?

With Pochettino's ties to Tottenham Hotspur and the Premier League, we discuss the latest transfer rumors, which include PSG linked to Serge Aurier, Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli, and Wilfried Zaha.

We switch topics later in the show to discuss the latest with Neymar Jr. and Kylian Mbappé when it comes to their contract situation. With reports that no club can afford the Frenchman, will he sign an extension or will PSG be forced to sell for below what he's worth to avoid losing him on a free transfer?

The show concludes with us sharing our 2021 resolutions for PSG.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.