PARIS (AP) — 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.
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Monaco, Chelsea and Liverpool could not.
Kvaratskhelia has scored eight goals so far — including anotherfine solo effort against Liverpoolin the first leg of their quarterfinal. That's twice as many as teammate Ousmane Dembélé, the currentmen's Ballon d'Orholder.
“He is such an important player for us,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said Tuesday. “Not just for his abilities but for what he transmits as a player.”
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.
“When I come inside and shoot it is down to hard work,” Kvaratskhelia said. “It depends on our opponents as well. I also work on it with the national team.”
He scored with a brilliant curler against Chelsea in the first leg of the last 16, then followed up with another goal inthe away legas 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 atough playoff against Monaco.
He has 16 goals overall this season forLigue 1 leader PSG, beating his previous best of 14 when starring forSerie A winner Napoliin the 2022-23 season.
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High comparisons
Napoli fans affectionately nicknamed him “Kvaradona” in reference to Diego Maradona, the club’s greatest-ever player. He paid homage to Maradona in afarewell videoposted to his fans when he left Napoli.
“Yes, people called me that (Kvaradona) in the street in Napoli. It’s always a pleasure to be compared to one of the best in the game,” Kvaratskhelia said. “It is also difficult to be compared to Maradona because you have to show it each time you are on the pitch.”
Ice-cool finisher
Kvaratskhelia's goal celebration, where he slides on his knees and taps the inside of his arm with his fingers, signifies “ice in my veins” — which means showing great composure when shooting.
Kvaratskhelia’s arrivalfrom Napoli in the January transfer window last season coincided with Dembélé's rise in form and kick-started the club's run to afirst Champions League trophy.
“I don’t have to work hard with Dembele. He is capable of doing everything on the pitch and he makes my job easier,” Kvaratskhelia said. “That’s why he won the Ballon d’Or and I think he can win many more.”
Second time lucky
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 andshooting from distance, 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.
“I have really improved in defense with Luis (Enrique),” Kvaratskhelia said. “In this team we need to defend like proper defenders.” ___
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