PSG – Botafogo-RJ

PSG should have no trouble outplaying Brazil's Botafogo

Before the start of the Club World Cup, PSG was considered the second favourite for the tournament. The main issue discussed before the first round meeting was the Parisians' adaptation to American conditions. Firstly, Luis Enrique's team had the toughest season. Secondly, Atletico Madrid were to play in the heat of the day. Probably, due to such weather conditions and the status of the opponent, bookmakers offered a slightly lower odds on the non-loss of the "matrasniki" than on the victory of PSG. However, the Parisians were not ceremonious with the third team of the Primera and dismantled it into football atoms. In fact, Atletico failed to levelled any of the trump cards of Luis Enrique's team, which everyone always knows about in advance. By scoring two goals in each half and not conceding once, PSG did not allow to doubt their advantage over their main rival in the group. The 4-0 scoreline was like a continuation of the Parisians' final triumph in the European Champions League, where they defeated Inter 5-0. Botafogo had a less difficult task in the first round, but the Brazilians coped with it harder. Of course, nothing pleasant was expected from the meeting with one of the hosts of the tournament in the face of Seattle Sounders. It would seem that the club from Rio de Janeiro closed all questions about the winner in the first half, winning it 2-0. However, in the second half, the Americans managed to seize the initiative, score a goal and almost squeeze a draw out of the match. Botafogo's 2-1 win allowed the Brazilians to be calm ahead of their rivalry with the group favourites. Under some circumstances, a low-key defeat to Parisians on goal difference and a draw with Atletico Madrid in the last round will be enough for Botafogo to finish in second place. Bookmakers have identified the nominal hosts as clear favourites for the clash, offering odds of 1.20 on their victory. To assume that Botafogo will initially agree to a minimal defeat by PSG is rather silly. To assume that the Brazilians expect to play for nil is also foolish. Most likely, the teams will play relatively open football and score at least three times for two.