REVIEW: A stunning group phase

Paris Saint-Germain emerged from the group stage covered in glory on Wednesday night in their final UEFA Champions League match of 2019. After a great match, Thomas Tuchel's men defeated Galatasaray 5-0. It was a great way to end an exciting qualifying campaign, which started off on a high note against Real Madrid and a 3-0 win that certainly set the tone for what was to follow.

The facts: With 16 points in this group phase, Paris recorded the second highest total ever for a French club behind... Paris in 1994-1995 (18 points).

ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENCE

The only team among the 32 teams involved in this group phase to have completed this campaign with five clean sheets in 6 matches played, Paris has boasted a superb defence throughout this European campaign. With only two goals conceded in total, Paris Saint-Germain has the best defence in the tournament.

In these six matches, no fewer than four central defenders were used by Thomas Tuchel: Kimpembe, Diallo, Thiago Silva and Marquinhos, all the full-backs were called upon: Meunier, Bernat, Kurzawa, Dagba and Kehrer, while two goalkeepers wore the gloves in Navas and Rico, that often never had a save to make. Proof, if any was needed, that Paris defended in style.

The Stat: With five clean sheets, no team has done better in the history of the group stage, established in 2003-04.

ON THE ATTACK

With no less than 17 goals in six games at an average of 2.8 goals per match, Paris Saint-Germain are the third best attack in the competition this season.

Thomas Tuchel was able to use all his offensive weapons. From Di Maria's heroic double against Real Madrid to Icardi's four goals in three matches in Istanbul, Bruges and Paris. From Fideo's 4 assists in Belgium to Mbappé's hat-trick in just half an hour in the same match. From Sarabia's two goals in two European matches, to the goal-fest on Wednesday evening, where all five strikers netted at the Parc des Princes. Fever pitch when Edinson Cavani netted from the penalty spot.
In each of their six matches, the capital's club capitalised on each of their attacking talents. Always finding the loophole, never concede a single defeat.

The player that made the difference: Kylian Mbappé has been directly involved in 8 goals in 6 UCL matches… A goal or an assist every 41 minutes.

A TEAM HISTORY

In addition to the scorelines and crushing victories, the capital club also showed other features of their games in this first stage of the UEFA Champions League. Aside from the wins, the individual magic, the team was able to vount on its entire workforce to stay undefeated. From the hard-fought match in Galatasaray to the draw against Real Madrid, the capital's club has also shown other virtues: never give up.

"We have been rewarded for our efforts together, we played as a team, that's the most important thing for me. We played with a lot of energy, aggressiveness, intensity. We finish first in the group, that's good. We've had some tough away games, but the team has always done what it takes to win. Five wins without a goal conceded. It continues in February, but now we have to look to the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue, to get in shape for the Round of 16," Thomas Tuchel told us on Wednesday... the season is far from over.