After three competitive matches, Paris Saint-Germain are still far from reaching full speed. Between an encouraging UEFA Super Cup victory, a defeat against Lens and a draw salvaged at Rennes, PSG’s start to the season has produced mixed feelings. Paris are moving forward, but clearly at a slower pace than expected.
On paper, the results are hardly disastrous. PSG first beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup before losing 1-0 to Lens in the Trophée des Champions. In their Ligue 1 opener, Luis Enrique’s side then had to settle for a 2-2 draw away at Rennes. The explanation lies largely in an unusual summer, with several players returning late after an exceptionally long and demanding previous season.
A late return is still affecting PSG
Luis Enrique has not yet been able to work with a squad at the same level of physical preparation. Some key players are understandably short of rhythm, while PSG did not enjoy a conventional pre-season. Training sessions have had to combine recovery, fitness work and immediate preparation for competitive fixtures. That helps explain the inconsistent intensity, the difficulty maintaining a high press for 90 minutes and the impression that Paris are sometimes managing their energy rather than imposing their game.
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Against Rennes, PSG once again showed two very different sides. The first half lacked intensity and attacking threat, before Paris responded after the break and fought back thanks in particular to Ferran Torres, who scored twice on his debut. That reaction was encouraging, as were the contributions of Mika Godts and other new arrivals, but the pressing remains uneven, attacking combinations still need work and Luis Enrique is continuing to search for the right balance while integrating players such as Lucas Digne, Akliouche, Godts and Torres.
There is therefore little reason for panic, but PSG will need to accelerate. The squad still possesses enormous quality and depth, with João Neves, Vitinha, Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Achraf Hakimi all capable of deciding matches. Injuries and suspensions, Nuno Mendes’ absence, the uncertain situations surrounding Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye and ongoing transfer activity have also complicated preparations. One win, one defeat and one draw from the opening three competitive games is not alarming, but the performances remain inconsistent. PSG have the resources to improve quickly, and their slow start can logically be explained by their physical condition and late return, although that excuse will gradually have to disappear in the coming weeks.
