Kvaratskhelia has become the first player in Champions League history to generate a goal in seven consecutive knockout-stage matches.
Kvaratskhelia overpowers Upamecano.
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (Tbilisi, Georgia, 2001) was the ‘galáctico’ that PSG—after paying 80 million euros—gave to Luis Enrique to offset Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid. In Naples, he had already made history after arriving as a complete unknown and leading them to their first ‘Scudetto’ since the days of ‘El Diego’ (1989-90). However, it is in Paris where they are now enjoying the most ‘Kvaradona’ version of the ‘Kvicho’ of this Champions League.
“It’s a very original nickname. It’s always nice to remember Maradona and a city like Naples. We joke about it a lot,” Luis Enrique admitted before the tie against a Bayern Munich side that, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, is tracking Kvaratskhelia’s brother. Not surprising after the ‘damage’ the Georgian has inflicted on them.
In the first leg, he ‘tormented’ Stanisic by scoring the 1-1 after breaking through on the left, doing a couple of stepovers, and placing the ball into the far post… before scoring the temporary 4-2 at the start of the second half by ‘shooting’ Neuer from the heart of the box. Two goals from two shots with a probability of 0.16 xG. Maximum efficiency for Kvaratskhelia, who also completed 4/7 dribbles, 12 carries, and 13 sprints in the 84 minutes he was on the pitch.
Radar of Kvaratskhelia (Champions 25-26) – DRIBLAB PRO
His ability to repeat efforts is inexhaustible. He is also the seventh winger in this Champions League who makes the most runs behind the opposition defense (4.97), the sixth who most progresses the ball (10.6), and the third who completes the most dribbles (4.11). “I think I was already just as good at Napoli. But with Luis Enrique, I have improved a lot defensively. He has demanded a lot from me,” the Georgian said.
Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, PSG player: “I think I was already just as good at Napoli. But with Luis Enrique, I have improved a lot defensively.”
His performance in Munich, where he had already scored against Inter in the final of the previous edition, was another example. Kompany moved Stanisic to the other flank to put Laimer on him, and after just two minutes, Kvaratskhelia again exploited the space behind him, playing a one-two with Fabián and making a monstrous run. Despite that, he kept a ‘fresh’ mind to reach the byline and serve the 0-1 on a plate for Dembélé.
With that goal, PSG began to put one foot in their second consecutive final… and Kvicha became the first player in Champions League history to generate a goal in seven consecutive knockout-stage matches, totaling 16 in the current edition—an absolute record for any player to have worn the Parisian club’s shirt. Additionally, 10 of those goals have come in knockout rounds, more than any other player.
Kvaratskhelia’s numbers in these Champions League knockout stages:
- Goal against Monaco in the second leg of the round of 32 (2-2)
- Double and assist in the first-leg victory against Chelsea in the round of 16 (5-2)
- Opening goal against Chelsea (0-3)
- Goal against Liverpool in the first leg of the quarterfinals (2-0)
- Assist to Dembélé in the second leg against the ‘Reds’ (0-2)
- Two key goals in the first-leg semifinal victory against Bayern (5-4)
- Assist in the second leg against the Germans (1-1)
He certainly did not let up and was absolutely unstoppable: he shot five times, provided four key passes, completed 7/8 dribbles, and made 11 carries. Defensively, however, he…
