Two Years and Nine Trophies Are Not Enough, PSG Stars Target Champions League History

Paris Saint-Germain's three key players — Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz — spoke at the training base about the same topic in three different languages: how much they want to win the Champions League for a third consecutive time.

Two years, nine trophies, and they want more.

Over the past two years, the Paris side coached by Luis Enrique has won nine trophies and finally become a dominant force in Europe. But the message from Ruiz is not encouraging for their rivals — they want more.

"We hope this year we can fight to win the Champions League for the third time in a row," Ruiz said. "Real Madrid are the only team to have done this (in the Champions League era). This is our main goal this year — to go there and fight to create history."

That final: conceding first, then coming back.

PSG's most recent Champions League title came in May this year, when they defeated Arsenal on penalties in Budapest. Havertz scored early to put PSG behind, forcing them to stay patient before gradually taking control of the match.

"It was a difficult match," Dembele explained. "We knew Arsenal were a great team and they finished first in the league phase. We knew it had been very difficult to face them in recent years, so we understood it would be a tough battle, especially after conceding first and having to come back. They defended very well. They have had almost the same group of players for four or five years."

"The best moment was when Gabriel missed the penalty. It was unfortunate for him."

Ruiz also agreed that the match was very difficult for PSG, especially after conceding so early.

"After that they dropped back defensively and we tried to attack, but it was difficult," he said. "We knew they were a great team, very organized defensively, and their players were aggressive. The goal from the penalty spot gave us a little more calm."

"Then, as Ruiz said, the moment when the referee awarded the final penalty and Gabriel missed it... it was unfortunate, because in the end the ones who miss penalties are the ones brave enough to take them. But when you are able to celebrate a Champions League trophy, it is a beautiful moment that will stay in everyone's memory."

The 5-4 semifinal.

Before the final against Arsenal, PSG eliminated Bayern Munich in the semifinal, winning the first leg 5-4 at Parc des Princes in a thrilling match that could go down in history. Kvaratskhelia and Dembele both scored twice in the game.

Dembele is currently the Ballon d'Or winner. Ruiz has maintained a 50-match unbeaten run with the Spain national team. Kvaratskhelia was last season's Champions League MVP and the best player among those who did not participate in the World Cup this summer.