2 months ago
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Scored winner against Sounders
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SEATTLE -- One goal and two assists. It has been a good FIFA Club World Cup for Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. On Monday, his goal against the Seattle Sounders (13’) helped ensure that Paris Saint-Germain’s journey at the tournament would continue until at least the round of 16. The 24-year-old winger deflected a shot from outside the box past Sounders’ goalkeeper Stefan Frei to give his side the lead, paving the way for a convincing 2-0 victory in front of 50,268 fans at Lumen Field. Achraf Hakimi (66’) doubled the lead, ensuring that no matter what the result was in the parallel game between Atlético Madrid and Botafogo (1-0), PSG would go through.
Not that the result was ever in doubt for Kvaratskhelia. “We did not think about it,” Kvaratskhelia said the day before the match to Transfermarkt when asked whether his side was heading back to Paris after the group stage. PSG head coach Luis Enrique also emphasized the importance of a professional performance against the Sounders to secure the win. “It is a short competition, and it is normal to play for everything in the third match of the group stage,” Luis Enrique said. “From now on, we have to think about playing the matches all the same way. We can be eliminated from here on in every game.”
Kvaratskhelia agreed with his head coach. “I mean, we saw some moments of the games that they had, and we know that they can play very good,” Kvaratskhelia said when asked about the Sounders. “We also know it would be a tough game. We just had to play our game and be concentrated.” Then the Georgian emphasized one crucial point about his team’s status at the tournament. “Of course, every team at this tournament can win,” Kvaratskhelia said. “But we are the team that won the Champions League. So, we have the responsibility to show our game. How has Kvaratskhelia felt about the level of the competition at the FIFA Club World Cup? “We saw that everybody can beat everyone,” Kvaratskhelia said. “There are teams that are maybe the favorites, but they are losing. But that is also normal.
PSG star Kvaratskhelia: “We are the team that won the Champions League”
It has been a whirlwind six months for the Georgian star. Signed for €70m in January from Napoli, has already played 28 games for his club, scoring eight goals and eight assists. “I am feeling good,” Kvaratskhelia said when asked about the number of games he has played. “I’m just happy that I can help the team and give 100% every time.” What about his transition from Napoli to PSG? “It went very quickly,” Kvaratskhelia said. “I just try to realize it now because it went so fast. I am just happy that I am here with this amazing club, with amazing players.” Has he realized yet what he has accomplished in the past six months? “Not quite yet.” Kvaratskhelia was very much the missing piece in PSG's tactical setup. The Georgian was crucial in the Champions League run and increased his market value from €80m to €90m—his career high.
Since joining PSG, Kvaratskhelia has become a far more complete player. Indeed, his head coach, Luis Enrique, places significant emphasis on his attacking players being responsible on both ends of the pitch. “Well, we can make another documentary about that,” Luis Enrique said, alluding to a video with him and Kylian Mbappé in which he tries to get the former PSG attacker to play a more aggressive press. “In the end, what I try to do. Holistically and individually. I want my players to grow. And if you get to do that individually, we will grow overall. If you don’t achieve that, then you end your career as a coach. I need my players to leave their comfort zone to get better.”
While Mbappé never really bought into that approach and has since left the club for Real Madrid, Kvaratskhelia has fully committed to his coach’s style of play. “I have to be able to play both,” Kvaratskhelia said about his defensive commitment. “When I came here, they spoke about everything. I am not just an attacker. Everybody must defend well.” That approach has worked well for PSG and Kvaratskhelia. In June, the Georgian lifted the Champions League trophy, and his goal today ensures that the journey at the Club World Cup is not yet over.
