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Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain were both dumped out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage after suffering humiliating home defeats against Ajax and Manchester United respectively. Both home teams came into this game with a lead from the first leg and they both bottled it up in the second leg.
Real Madrid lost the second leg 1-4 in their own backyard after a breathtaking performance from a young Ajax side. The Dutch side was superior in every aspect and they literally bossed Madrid at their hallowed Santiago Bernabéu stadium. Dušan Tadić, the Serbian froward starred brilliantly for Ajax as he scored a stunner and provided two assists.
On the other hand, PSG gave up a 2-0 lead from the first leg at Old Trafford, to lose 1-3 at the Parc des Princes which saw them out of the round of 16 for the third consecutive time. Marcus Rashford, the 21-year old English forward scored the all-important third away goal for the Red Devils in the stoppage time after a controversial VAR penalty decision.
Though it is a disaster for both clubs to go out from the Champions League at such an early stage, for PSG it is much more shameful.
#1 Three back-to-back failures in the round of 16 stage
PSG have now suffered three consecutive losses in the Champions League round of 16 for three consecutive years.
In 2017, they endured 6-5 aggregate loss against Barcelona on the famous La Remontada night. While last season, Real Madrid thrashed them 5-2 on aggregate. This season's exit was even worse.
On the other hand, Madrid won the competition in three successive years and four times in the last five years. Though the manner they got out this time is disappointing, one cannot forget the history they have in this competition.
PSG have failed to get past the quarter final stages for the last seven years and have never even won this competition.
#2 Money spent
PSG have spent tons of money over the years just to win this tournament, and failed miserably each and every time. After the big money signing of both Neymar from Barcelona and Kylian Mbappé from Monaco in the summer of 2017, the thinking in Paris would have been that this might be their time to rule Europe, but the reality is disappointing.
Neymar missed the crucial second leg last year due to injury. This blew the wind out of their sails while trying to stage a comeback and they were knocked out by the eventual winner Real Madrid. While this season, Neymar missed the both legs due to a metatarsal injury, while Mbappé was unable to make up the difference.
Real Madrid didn’t spend big for the last three seasons and this might be the reason of their downfall this year. They have not even replaced their former talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo who went to Juventus this summer.
#3 Lost to a Manchester United B team
The Red Devils struggled to have 11 players on their team list after suffering so many injuries. Their French superstar midfielder, Paul Pogbawas suspended due to a red card in the first leg at Old Trafford. The midfield of Fred, Pereira and Scott McTominay are second choice midfield players and PSG can only blame themselves that they could not defend a 2-0 first leg advantage.
Real Madrid lost to a brilliant Ajax side who has been playing outstanding football throughout the season. The way likes of Frenkie de Jong, Dušan Tadić and Daley Blindperformed in that second leg is outstanding. Ajax simply outplayed Madrid that night and the Los Blancos lost to a more deserving team.
