PSG faces Champions League exit risk.©(@brfootball)
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faces a critical crossroads in the Champions League as their pursuit of a maiden title appears increasingly threatened. The summer departure of Kylian Mbappé, alongside Lionel Messi and Neymar, has marked the end of the club’s “Galactico” era. Despite a renewed focus on youth development and team balance, PSG has struggled to deliver in Europe this season, winning just one of their four group-stage matches so far.
In Ligue 1, PSG continues to dominate, sitting six points clear at the top with an unbeaten record. However, their Champions League form has been disjointed. After a solid 1-0 victory over Girona, the Parisians were held to a 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven and suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Atletico Madrid. With only five points from their opening four games, PSG finds themselves languishing in 25th place in the 36-team group, five points adrift of the vital top-eight spots.
The team’s biggest issue has been their inability to finish chances. Despite creating numerous opportunities and registering 58 shots, PSG has only scored three goals in their four European outings. French football expert Julien Laurens highlighted the inefficiency, stating that the team needs 20 chances to score just once. This failure to convert has seen PSG drop crucial points, and with a challenging run of fixtures ahead, their hopes of progressing could be at risk.
The departure of Mbappé, who scored 256 goals in 308 appearances for PSG, has left a void that has been difficult to fill. Without the French forward’s ability to deliver in crucial moments, PSG has lacked the “magic” that often turned games in their favor. Thierry Henry noted that while PSG is more stable in its overall play, they miss the X-factor that Mbappé brought to the team.
The club’s shift towards a younger squad has been evident, with PSG starting three teenagers in their season opener. Bradley Barcola, who has scored ten goals in Ligue 1, has been a standout player in Mbappé’s absence. However, the 22-year-old has yet to replicate that form in the Champions League, with no goals in his four appearances so far.
PSG still has a chance to turn their European fortunes around. With remaining fixtures against Bayern Munich, RB Salzburg, Stuttgart, and a potentially crucial home match against Manchester City, there is hope for the Parisians. However, they must start converting the chances they create to secure enough points to qualify for the knockout stages. If PSG cannot climb into the top eight, they will face a two-legged play-off to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
There is still time for PSG to find their rhythm, but with the competition intensifying, the clock is ticking on their hopes of ending their Champions League drought.
