Champions League Group F Round 3: PSG's Possession Struggles and Newcastle's Attack Power

The UEFA Champions League Group F third round continued in the early hours of October 26, Beijing time. Paris Saint-Germain's possession rate was as high as their previous defeat was devastating. Meanwhile, Newcastle United's attack has been remarkably consistent, and their recent form has been on the rise. If the Magpies can secure a victory over Borussia Dortmund this round, their chances of advancing will significantly improve, and the players' morale will stabilize further.

PSG vs. AC Milan: A Clash of Different Calibers

In their previous match, PSG visited Newcastle United in what was expected to be a crucial encounter to determine the top spot in the group. Despite PSG's inconsistent performance since the beginning of the season, Newcastle was also struggling at the time, nearly losing to Milan at San Siro in the opening round despite being dominated throughout the match. Surprisingly, the Magpies, who lack extensive European experience, adapted to the Champions League tempo swiftly, unleashing their full attacking power in the return leg against PSG, ultimately winning 4-1.

This PSG squad embodies many characteristics of Luis Enrique's teams. Despite suffering a heavy defeat, they managed to control 74% of the possession. However, much like Enrique's Spanish national team, PSG failed to convert possession into goals and didn't even surpass their opponents in shot attempts. PSG's players come from all over the world, and instilling the essence of Spanish tiki-taka in them seems like an impossible task.

Many AC Milan fans were not optimistic about their team's prospects after seeing the group draw. Indeed, on paper, Milan might be slightly weaker than Borussia Dortmund. After two matches, Milan's performance has left fans puzzled. Despite creating 39 scoring opportunities in two games, they have yet to score a goal, making them one of three teams still goalless in the Champions League. However, Milan has managed to keep their defense intact, and their chances of advancing remain uncertain. For the Rossoneri, it feels like the competition hasn't really started yet.

Both PSG and Milan currently sit in the top three of their respective domestic leagues, yet their fans are not satisfied. PSG, as the sole giant in Ligue 1, faces criticism if they are not leading by at least ten points, let alone being in third place. Milan fans' expectations have risen following a Serie A title win with a modest squad, seemingly forgetting that if their northern rivals want to "poach" their players, Milan can't hold onto them. Examples include Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Mattia De Sciglio, and last week's match-winner, Manuel Locatelli.

Even with Financial Fair Play (FFP) supposedly not applying to PSG, they have significantly toned down their spending in recent seasons. Despite this, as long as they play to their potential, beating Milan should not be a problem. However, PSG's current form is also unstable, making a 1-1 draw a likely outcome.

Newcastle United vs. Borussia Dortmund: Can the Magpies Maintain Their Attacking Prowess?

Newcastle United's biggest issue this season has been their inconsistent attack. After a 5-1 victory over Aston Villa in the Premier League opener, they went five consecutive matches without scoring more than one goal per game, including a narrow draw against AC Milan in the Champions League group stage. Then came an 8-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, showcasing their offensive potential.

Following their massive win over Sheffield United, Newcastle's performance and attack have stabilized. Their impressive victory over PSG caught fans' attention. If they can defeat Dortmund at home in this round, their chances of advancing to the knockout stages will be almost guaranteed. Newcastle's form seems unaffected by the Sandro Tonali incident. Manager Eddie Howe highly values this midfielder, who remains a core part of the Magpies' lineup. Until the investigation concludes, Tonali will continue to start.

Borussia Dortmund has secured five consecutive wins in the Bundesliga, gradually easing the pressure on the team. However, their Champions League performance has not satisfied fans. In the previous round, facing AC Milan, the team closest to them in strength in the group, Dortmund only managed a goalless draw. Despite being a modest Milan side, Dortmund neither dominated the scoreline nor the match, making their path to advancing increasingly difficult.

For Dortmund, this game is a do-or-die match. They cannot afford to play as conservatively as they do in the league. With a stronger Newcastle United, a 3-2 victory for the Magpies is a plausible outcome.

PSG's Possession Problem

PSG's match against Newcastle revealed a critical issue with their style of play under Luis Enrique. Despite controlling the ball for 74% of the match, PSG struggled to convert this possession into effective attacking opportunities. This problem echoes the struggles of Enrique's Spanish national team, which also struggled to turn possession into goals during his tenure.

PSG's current squad comprises players from diverse footballing backgrounds, making it challenging to implement the intricate passing and movement required for tiki-taka. This lack of cohesion in their approach was evident in their inability to outshoot their opponents, despite dominating possession. The team's reliance on individual brilliance rather than a cohesive system could hinder their progress in the Champions League.

Milan's Offensive Woes

AC Milan's goalless streak in the Champions League has been a source of frustration for their fans. Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities, the Rossoneri have failed to find the back of the net. This inability to convert chances into goals has left them in a precarious position in Group F.

Milan's defensive solidity has been a silver lining, as they have managed to keep clean sheets in both of their matches. However, their lack of goals puts immense pressure on their defense to perform flawlessly. If Milan can maintain their defensive form and find a way to break their scoring drought, their chances of advancing will improve significantly.

Newcastle's Rising Form

Newcastle United's resurgence has been one of the standout stories of this Champions League campaign. After a shaky start to the season, the Magpies have found their rhythm, particularly in attack. Their emphatic victory over PSG showcased their potential to compete with Europe's elite.

Eddie Howe's management has been instrumental in Newcastle's success. The team's tactical flexibility and the ability to exploit their opponents' weaknesses have been key factors in their recent performances. If Newcastle can maintain their attacking form and secure another victory against Dortmund, they will be in a strong position to advance from the group stage.

Dortmund's Struggles

Borussia Dortmund's Champions League campaign has been underwhelming so far. Despite their strong domestic form, they have struggled to replicate this success in Europe. The goalless draw against Milan highlighted their inability to dominate matches against comparable opposition.

Dortmund's lack of a clinical edge in front of goal and their inability to control the midfield has been their Achilles' heel. To have any chance of advancing, Dortmund must address these issues and perform at a higher level in their remaining group stage matches.

Predictions and Key Matches

As Group F progresses, the upcoming matches will be crucial in determining which teams advance to the knockout stages. PSG's encounter with AC Milan is expected to be a tightly contested match, with both teams needing a positive result to improve their chances. Given both teams' current form and weaknesses, a 1-1 draw seems a likely outcome.

Newcastle United's home match against Borussia Dortmund is another pivotal clash. The Magpies have shown they can compete with top teams, and their recent form suggests they have the upper hand. A 3-2 victory for Newcastle would not only solidify their position in the group but also significantly dent Dortmund's hopes of advancing.

The third round of Group F in the Champions League has provided plenty of drama and intrigue. PSG's possession struggles, Milan's offensive woes, Newcastle's rising form, and Dortmund's struggles have all contributed to an exciting and unpredictable group stage. As the competition progresses, the outcomes of these matches will shape the destiny of the teams involved, with every point and goal carrying immense significance.