Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) finds itself in a precarious position in the early stages of the revamped UEFA Champions League, securing just one win from their first three matches and struggling to find the back of the net from their forwards.
The team’s recent 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven at home has raised concerns over familiar defensive vulnerabilities, as they no longer boast the star power of players like Kylian Mbappé and Neymar to clinch tightly contested games.
The match against PSV, the current leaders of the Dutch league, highlighted PSG’s ongoing challenges. A defensive lapse allowed PSV’s left winger Noa Lang to open the scoring, putting the Parisians on the back foot.
Although right back Achraf Hakimi managed to equalize early in the second half, PSG faced further threats as PSV mounted counterattacks looking for a late winner.
“It’s the little details that count. PSV managed to make our mistakes count,” Hakimi remarked post-match. “It’s difficult when you have to chase the game and come from behind.” This sentiment reflects the frustrations within the squad as they grapple with their form.
PSG’s dismal performance in their previous Champions League match—an away defeat to Arsenal—exposed serious defensive weaknesses.
The team had to rely on a catastrophic blunder from Girona’s goalkeeper to secure a narrow 1-0 victory in their opening game, with the only two goals scored so far this campaign coming from defenders.
Nuno Mendes was credited with the goal against Girona, but it was fortuitously awarded after his cross was misjudged by the opposition’s keeper.
With the Champions League’s new format, which features 36 teams playing eight matches against various opponents, PSG may find a silver lining.
This system allows for more flexibility in qualification, enabling teams to advance even if they are not performing at their best.
The top eight teams will secure automatic passage to the round of 16 in March, while those finishing ninth to 24th will enter knockout playoffs in February. Currently, PSG sits in 17th place, just above the cut-off.
Hakimi acknowledged the need for better finishing in front of goal, but coach Luis Enrique expressed a more optimistic view regarding the team’s overall performance. “We created opportunities. This match was not a disappointment,” he stated through a translator. “The only thing is we didn’t score one more than them, and that’s a pity.” His remarks suggest a belief that the team can turn its fortunes around, but there are tougher challenges ahead.
Upcoming matches against formidable opponents like Atletico Madrid, six-time champions Bayern Munich, and last year’s winners Manchester City pose significant hurdles for PSG. The revamped format may provide some respite, contrasting with the previous group stage system, where only the top two out of four teams could advance. Last season, PSG barely qualified for the knockout stage, finishing second in their group after disappointing losses to Newcastle and AC Milan, before being ousted by Borussia Dortmund in the semifinals.
As PSG navigates this new format, the pressure is on the players to rediscover their scoring touch and fortify their defense, especially with the Champions League ambitions hanging in the balance. The next few weeks will be crucial in determining whether PSG can rise to the occasion or if they will once again fall short of expectations.
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