This Group B encounter of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be played between recently crowned UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and LaLiga EA Sports heavyweights Atlético Madrid on June 16 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California.
Here are our preview and prediction for the game.
This is going to be a blockbuster affair between two European heavyweights. While PSG come into this tournament fresh from their UCL-winning exploits — thus full of confidence and belief — Atlético Madrid have had a trophyless season, registering a top-three finish in LaLiga.
Both teams have some exciting players to watch, though their playing styles are vastly different. Their managers also have different tactical preferences: while Luis Enrique at PSG likes to play a more attacking, dynamic form of football, Diego Simeone at Atleti prefers a more defensive setup.
PSG have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season. They secured a historic treble — comprising the Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Coupe de France, and UEFA Champions League titles. In Europe, they did not have the best of starts but came into their own once the knockouts began. They were particularly merciless in the final, defeating Inter Milan by a humiliating scoreline of 5–0.
The Parisians’ forward players and fullbacks have especially stood out this season. Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi, and Nuno Mendes have been exceptional, while midfielders Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabián Ruiz have been underrated in comparison but no less crucial.
As for Atlético Madrid, they have no dearth of talent. The dangerous Argentine Julián Alvarez has been leading the line alongside Alexander Sørloth for the most part. Young players like Giuliano Simeone and Pablo Barrios have also made significant contributions. In addition, they have the experience of Antoine Griezmann, Rodrigo De Paul, César Azpilicueta, Koke, and Marcos Llorente to rely on.
When these two sides last met, in the first phase of the UEFA Champions League at the Parc des Princes last November, Atleti came out surprise winners with a 2–1 scoreline, with Nahuel Molina scoring the winner in the late stages. However, based on recent form and the quality of the two squads on paper, PSG look the more likely winners of this match. Even though the Atleti defence isn’t easy to breach, the UCL champions possess too much quality both up front and in midfield not to force a favourable result.
Fantasy XI: Jan Oblak (GK), Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos (C), José María Giménez, Nuno Mendes, Pablo Barrios, Vitinha, João Neves, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Julián Alvarez, Ousmane Dembélé
Score Prediction: PSG 2–0 Atlético Madrid
Venue: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, LA
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