Paris Saint-Germain is very close to the position of a truly great team in Europe - the class only belongs to champions who know how to dominate both the result and the game.
Arsenal may be the last obstacle preventing Luis Enrique's team from completing that journey in the Champions League final in Budapest at the end of this month.
After a breathtaking 5-4 victory over Bayern Munich in the first leg at Parc des Princes, PSG continued to show the bravery of the defending champion when they drew 1-1 at Allianz Arena to win a ticket to the final with a total score of 6-5. However, that score does not fully reflect the dominance of the French team in the second leg.
In the 3rd minute, Ousmane Dembele opened the score after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's acceleration on the left wing. The early goal helped PSG easily deploy a high-speed counter-attacking style and completely control the game.
If they take better advantage of the opportunity, the Ligue 1 representative can completely score more goals against Bayern Munich, just like how they once beat Inter Milan 5-0 in the Champions League final last season.
Bayern Munich still created some notable opportunities, especially from Jamal Musiala or Harry Kane, but never brought the feeling of being strong enough to reverse the situation. PSG's defense under the command of Marquinhos played more tightly and stably than in the first leg.
Although statistics show that Bayern launched 18 shots compared to PSG's 15, the reality on the field was completely different. The German team's shots were mostly inaccurate or not difficult enough to beat Matvei Safonov. Meanwhile, every time PSG counter-attacked, it created a feeling that they could finish the match at any time.
That is what makes Arsenal particularly worried before the final on May 30. PSG at this time is simply the most comprehensive team in Europe. They possess ball control, speed of transition, tactical flexibility and the bravery of a true champion.
Many opinions suggest that PSG is currently the closest version to the legendary Barcelona of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Enrique's team can narrow down opponents with passing ability, but is also sharp enough to finish the match with just a few quick counter-attacks.
Dembele continues to prove his leading role in attack when he has directly participated in 16 goals in the Champions League knockout rounds since the beginning of last season.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is also not inferior with 15 assists, and also became the first player to score or assist in 7 consecutive knockout matches in the same season.
Arsenal will definitely have to find a way to lock down Kvaratskhelia - the player considered the soul in Enrique's system. However, the problem is not only with the Georgian star. Dembele, Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola all have the ability to create huge breakthroughs in a narrow space.
The midfield is also where PSG is rated slightly higher. Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard or Martin Zubimendi may face a night full of pressure against the trio Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves and Vitinha.
Even Arsenal's attack has not shown the same lethality as Bayern Munich - the team that owns Harry Kane, Luis Diaz and Michael Olise - but was still neutralized by PSG's defense for most of the semi-final match.
PSG's rare limitation probably lies in the goalkeeper position. Matvei Safonov has not yet brought the certainty of Gianluigi Donnarumma last season. And this may be the area Arsenal will exploit in set pieces - which is a powerful weapon under Mikel Arteta and expert Nicolas Jover.
However, if only relying on dead balls, The Gunners are likely to face many difficulties. PSG is currently a team that possesses the confidence, bravery and experience of a team that is used to victory.
Only Real Madrid once successfully defended the Champions League title in the modern era, but PSG is now facing the opportunity to recreate that achievement.
With Enrique on the coaching bench and a generation of players reaching perfect maturity, the Paris capital team is increasingly showing the shape of a new era in Europe.
Everything can happen in a final, but Arsenal understands that they are preparing to face the biggest challenge of European football today. That is a PSG that is almost perfect in every aspect.
