PARIS (AP) 鈥� Bayern Munich must find a way to stop Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia when the sides meet in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday.
Monaco, Chelsea and Liverpool could not.
Kvaratskhelia has scored eight goals so far 鈥� including another in the first leg of their quarterfinal. That’s twice as many as teammate Ousmane Demb茅l茅, the current holder.
鈥淗e is such an important player for us,鈥� PSG coach Luis Enrique said Tuesday. 鈥淣ot just for his abilities but for what he transmits as a player.鈥�
Kvaratskhelia’s performance against Liverpool, all darting runs and jinking feet, led the British press to compare the 25-year-old Georgia star’s style of play to that of George Best, the late Manchester United great known for his extraordinary dribbling, amazing balance and spectacular goals.
His ability to cut in at speed from the left flank and bend a shot into the opposite corner is also reminiscent of Thierry Henry, the former France and Arsenal great.
鈥淲hen I come inside and shoot it is down to hard work,鈥� Kvaratskhelia said. 鈥淚t depends on our opponents as well. I also work on it with the national team.鈥�
He scored with a brilliant curler against Chelsea in the first leg of the last 16, then followed up with another goal in as PSG routed the London side 8-2 on aggregate. Prior to that, it was goal midway through the second half that turned the tide PSG’s way in a .
He has 16 goals overall this season for , beating his previous best of 14 when starring for in the 2022-23 season.
High comparisons
Napoli fans affectionately nicknamed him 鈥淜varadona鈥� in reference to Diego Maradona, the club鈥檚 greatest-ever player. He paid homage to Maradona in a posted to his fans when he left Napoli.
鈥淵es, people called me that (Kvaradona) in the street in Napoli. It鈥檚 always a pleasure to be compared to one of the best in the game,鈥� Kvaratskhelia said. 鈥淚t is also difficult to be compared to Maradona because you have to show it each time you are on the pitch.鈥�
Ice-cool finisher
Kvaratskhelia’s goal celebration, where he slides on his knees and taps the inside of his arm with his fingers, signifies 鈥渋ce in my veins鈥� 鈥� which means showing great composure when shooting.
from Napoli in the January transfer window last season coincided with Demb茅l茅’s rise in form and kick-started the club’s run to a .
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to work hard with Dembele. He is capable of doing everything on the pitch and he makes my job easier,鈥� Kvaratskhelia said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why he won the Ballon d鈥橭r and I think he can win many more.鈥�
Second time lucky
Luis Enrique signed him at the second attempt and it’s now obvious why he was so keen to do so.
Aside from his dribbling, crossing and , Kvaratskhelia is also incredibly hard-working in defense, constantly tracking back and tackling. Effectively, this gives PSG two players in one: a superb winger who defends remarkably well as a makeshift fullback.
鈥淚 have really improved in defense with Luis (Enrique),鈥� Kvaratskhelia said. 鈥淚n this team we need to defend like proper defenders.鈥� ___
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