Paris Saint-Germain will look to complete the coveted treble on saturday when they face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League final in Munich.
PSG have been sensational during the knockout phase of the competition beating three Premier league clubs, which includes the champions of England Liverpool and runner up Arsenal.Alongside some fantastic attacking players, Paris' midfield should also be given the credit for the spectacular display throughout the campaign which has been the cornerstone of Luis Enrique's plans this season.
Modern football is presumably defined by the abilities of a team to control the game both with and without the ball and PSG's midfield comprising of Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz have delivered in every aspect for their team.
Neves has done brilliantly for the side while winning back possession this season. After the game against Arsenal various statistics pointed out Gennaro Gattuso in 2007-08 to be the last player to record the number of tackles made by Neves during a Champions League game. The modern game which is often dictated by pressing, Neves could just be the difference maker for his side in the final with his ball winning abilities.
Ruiz is another player who is having a sensational run of form, as his crisp ball control and defence piercing passes has been the difference maker in the big games for PSG this season and in a game like the Champions League final, where no team wants to give anything away, a player like the 29-year-old Spaniard has always proved to be crucial.
Behind them plays the maestro Vitinha, who plays a more deeper role in the PSG midfield and never shies away from recieving the ball under pressure. He also has a knack of making forward runs from deeper positions which again is crucial for a closely contested game like the Champions League final.
The fluidity and understanding of the PSG midfield gives them the ability to quickly rotate roles and change their positions and at times it is really hard for a spectator to understand which player plays in which position.
As PSG gear up for their final against Inter, the Paris midfield will have to play another spectacular game if they are to win their maiden UEFA Champions League title on Saturday.
Image credit- Paris Saint-Germain Football Club