AS Manchester City will fans know, spending £1billion on players keeps the trophy cabinet well stocked.
In the case of Paris Saint-Germain, it is even better when you invest nearly the same amount and only play in the fifth best league in Europe.
PSG players celebrate their victory after the full time whistle in LisbonCredit: EPA
Neymar dropped to his news when the game endedCredit: EPA
Credit: AFP or licensors
Credit: AFP or licensors
Yet until Tuesday night, neither club — despite all their cash courtesy of the Middle East — could get that passport to the Champions League final.
But PSG, City’s mirror image across the Channel, have now got there first.
The all-singing all-dancing, front three of Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Angel Di Maria will take their place in Sunday’s final against either Bayern Munich or Lyon.
This team from the Parc des Princes are the best footballing example of a team being all fur coat and no knickers — although maybe this team are proving they do have some substance after all.
PSG are celebrating reaching their first-ever Champions League FinalCredit: AP:Associated Press
Angel Di Maria, pictured celebrating with Neymar, was on the scoresheet as they thrashed RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Images
All three strikes came from Leipzig mistakes and while Neymar, the ultimate show pony, failed to score — and he missed a few good chances — he still showed a few dazzling flashes of what he can do.
On this showing, it was probably a good job Leipzig, minus Chelsea new-boy Timo Werner, did not make the final.
PSG are loathed in France as much as Red Bull-backed Leipzig are in Germany but they will at least sprinkle some stardust over the weekend’s events in Portugal.
If Bayern are the opponents, the end of a traumatic year for European football will be marked by a truly fascinating battle for the crown.
German coach Thomas Tuchel deserves credit for finally getting Les Parisiens to gel on the European stage.
It is remarkable when you consider they were seconds from losing 1-0 to Atalanta in the quarter-finals — only for Marquinhos and former Stoke striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting to score a quickfire double at the death.
Yet this was a much better, controlled performance against Leipzig.
Marquinhos opened the scoring early doors and there was no way back for LeipzigCredit: AP:Associated Press
PSG are seen in their homeland as an arrogant football club, and having the most two expensive players of all-time in Nemar and Mbappe has increased the jealousy from their rivals.
Leipzig, meanwhile, were formed on May 19, 2009, eight days before Manchester United lost 2-0 to Barcelona in the Champions League final in Rome.
Throughout the game in Lisbon, their young manager Julian Nagelsmann – with a dodgy jacket making him look like a 1980s pop star – looked in a state of shock.
Still only 33, we will see in the Premier League before he turns 40.
But here, his team fell short of what was required. From the very start, PSG were on a mission and for once, they were all singing from the same hymn sheet in a really big match.
Mbappe and Neymar caused all sorts of problems and they will have to deliver similar menace on Sunday.
Angel Di Maria added the second moments before half time following a poor error from Gulacsi and a brilliant Neymar flickCredit: EPA
These two combined early in a move which should have resulted in a goal but while Mbappe delivered the killer pass, Neymar somehow failed to get his shot on target.
Mbappe stuck the ball in the net but it was correctly ruled out for a handball from Neymar.
When PSG did score it was a Brazilian but not the one we expected but instead, midfielder Marquinhos.
On the back of getting a good luck message from Pele with the rest of his fellow countrymen, Marquinhos delivered a fine header but it was only made possible courtesy of an outstanding free-kick from the outstanding Di Maria.
It is a shame Manchester United fans did not see a few more of these type of performances.
Meanwhile, another former United player, Ander Herrera, helped PSG tick along in midfield.
Bernat made sure of the game less than ten minutes into the second halfCredit: EPA
From the very start, this was never going to be a tight game of chess.
Neymar nearly caught out former Hereford and Tranmere keeper Peter Gulacsi with a cheeky free-kick which hit the side of the post.
And Gulasci was then guilty of a terrible mistake with some lousy distribution which was duly punished.
He should have cleared his lines but his pass was picked up by PSG, Neymar delivered a brilliant back heel and Di Maria – who forced the error by pressing the keeper – took one touch before burying the ball into the net.
Leipzig started positively in the second half but PSG killed the tie with a third. Nordi Mukiele slipped out wide and then played Juan Bernat onside.
The PSG defender got a good connection to Di Maria’s cross and while Neymar was trying his best to score and got a touch but the ball was already over the line.
So now, PSG are just 90 minutes from delivering the success their owners have demanded.
On social media, Mbappe has been poking fun at fans who have labelled Ligue 1 a “farmers League”
And over the next few days, you would guess he will be unable to resist the urge to poke fun at their critics.
You must not forget that despite all their millions, this is a club which is known for lacking a bit of class.
And maybe Mbappe could be advised to keep a lid on it until PSG bring the bacon back to Paris.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
