Paris Saint-Germain struggles on their path to the title and Champions League qualification
On December 8, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain will face Athletic Bilbao away in the Champions League group stage. Despite a resounding 5-0 victory over Rennes in the league, keeping pace with the top of the table, a depleted defense and inconsistent attacking efficiency are making the French giants' path to the title and Champions League qualification difficult.
Paris Saint-Germain's recent league form has been strong. In their 5-0 thrashing of Rennes, Kvalatschria was involved in both goals, while Maylou, Mbaye, and Ramos each scored a goal, showcasing their formidable finishing ability. However, this victory cannot mask the defensive vulnerabilities: five defenders, including Hakimi and Mendes, are injured, and substitute goalkeeper Safonov has a save percentage of only 33%, resulting in the team conceding goals in their last two league matches. In their first Champions League group stage match against Tottenham, although PSG won 3-5, their defensive weaknesses were exposed – Vitinha conceded a penalty for handball and Lucas was sent off with a red card, revealing a fatal flaw in their squad depth.
Manager Luis Enrique continued with the 4-3-3 formation, focusing the attack on the left flank: the overlapping runs between Kvalacchria and Pacho proved to be a key weapon. Statistics show that the duo combined for 45% of the team's shooting opportunities, with Kvalacchria's two goals and two assists contributing 30% of the attacking conversion rate. However, the right flank defense was virtually nonexistent – Marquinhos was beaten an average of 2.8 times per game, and right wing-back Kamara's poor recovery speed allowed opponents to frequently launch counter-attacks down the right. In the Champions League match against Tottenham, Frankowski's breakthroughs on the right flank directly led to two goals, highlighting this tactical flaw.
PSG's injury list was disastrous: the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Shevalier (9 appearances, 72 minutes), right-back Hakimi (2.3 dribbles per game), and midfielder Bellardo (1.17 key passes per game) forced Enrique to use 19-year-old academy goalkeeper Safonov and winger Lee Kang-in as makeshift defenders. However, the consistent performance of key players has sustained the team: Vitinha controlled the tempo with 508 passes (the most in the tournament), and Kvalatschlia's average rating of 8.2 made him a key player among the top three scorers in the Champions League. This "star player dependency" is particularly dangerous in high-stakes matches—against Manchester City, Messi's lack of support from De Bruyne led to a 0-2 defeat for PSG, exposing the vulnerability of a single-star tactic.
In the Ligue 1 standings, PSG trails leaders Lens by one point with 33 points, making the title race tight; in the Champions League group stage, they face powerhouses like Bayern Munich and Arsenal. The management's obsession with a "double" (referring to winning both the Ligue 1 and 2016 titles) is forcing the team to compete on multiple fronts, but injuries and the increasingly acute conflict with the schedule are becoming more acute. Sporting director Leonardo revealed that they might make an €80 million bid for Bayer Leverkusen striker Wirtz in the winter transfer window, while also seeking to strengthen their right-back position. However, Mbappe's contract renewal negotiations have stalled (his salary demand is €35 million per year), casting a shadow over his future.
Paris Saint-Germain's predicament reflects a classic paradox of modern football: can their superstar policy be sustained? Is tactical innovation necessary? Coach Luis Enrique frankly admitted after the match, "We need to find a balance, maintaining our attacking prowess while rebuilding our defensive system." If they fail to bring in top-class center-backs and right-backs in the winter transfer window, PSG may repeat last season's Champions League semi-final exit. For young talents like Kvalacchria, how to develop into leaders in the shadow of superstars will be crucial in determining the team's ceiling.
From their stunning comeback in Istanbul to their disappointing exit at the Etihad Stadium, Paris Saint-Germain has consistently struggled to reach its peak. Now, under the dual pressures of injuries and a tight schedule, this "Galácticos" needs more than just flashes of brilliance from their stars; they need a systemic overhaul and a robust youth academy. As L'Équipe put it, "PSG's Champions League ambitions will ultimately depend on whether they can cultivate a defensive tree amidst their forest of superstars."
