Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their season by beating Aston Villa within the UEFA Tremendous Cup. Photograph: AFP
PARIS:
Paris Saint-Germain kick off their Ligue 1 marketing campaign as overwhelming favourites to win a sixth successive title, however may have one eye firmly on their bid for a 3rd straight Champions League crown.
The capital giants eased to a record-extending 14th French top-flight triumph final season, regardless of typically prioritising their European ambitions.
They begin their Ligue 1 marketing campaign towards Rennes on Sunday, hoping to make a fast begin earlier than the Champions League begins on September 8.
“When the season begins, everybody says the league is simple,” stated head coach Luis Enrique.
“Nothing is simple — I do not recall any simple French league campaigns, a minimum of not within the final three years.”
Their six-point profitable margin over second-placed Lens final time period was the second closest they’ve come to slipping up domestically since being crushed to the title by Lille in 2021.
Two seasons in the past, they completed a whopping 19 factors away from closest challengers Marseille.
Throughout the previous 5 campaigns, PSG have loved a median title-winning margin of 10 factors.
After lastly ending their lengthy wait to translate that success to Europe in 2024/25, they backed it up with a second successive Champions League remaining victory, over Arsenal on penalties in Could.
Solely three golf equipment have gained three consecutive European Cups — Actual Madrid, Ajax and Bayern Munich.
“Everybody thinks we will win, however that is simply principle. Now we’ve got to show on the pitch that we’re as much as the duty,” Luis Enrique stated when requested PSG’s Champions League probabilities this season.
“Traditionally, it is exhausting to discover a workforce that wins on a regular basis, however we’re making an attempt to be proper there alongside these sorts of groups.”
Qatar-backed PSG have as soon as once more strengthened within the switch market and held on to all of their most vital gamers.
Ferran Torres has joined from Barcelona after scoring Spain’s profitable purpose within the World Cup remaining, whereas France left-back Lucas Digne has returned as back-up for Nuno Mendes.
“Like final yr, we’re nonetheless hungry for victories, trophies,” stated PSG midfielder Vitinha.
“It’s extremely troublesome to keep up these ranges however we’re nonetheless hungry and we’ll be aiming to win.”
PSG comfortably rotated their aspect in Ligue 1 final time period to spice up their Champions League hopes and can be anticipating to have the ability to achieve this once more this time round.
Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele solely began 11 of their 34 Ligue 1 video games final season.
Teaching chaos
Lens impressed by ending second to PSG final season and led the desk for lengthy intervals earlier than falling away.
They may not maintain on to teach Pierre Sage who left for mid-table Premier League membership Crystal Palace.
Nevertheless, they handed their first take a look at beneath new boss Dino Toppmoeller with flying colors by defeating PSG with 10 males within the Champions’ Trophy final weekend and can be anticipating to compete for second place once more.
“I’ve an awesome rapport with the coach. He referred to as me very quickly after his appointment, whereas I used to be nonetheless on trip,” stated Lens playmaker Florian Thauvin.
“We share the identical imaginative and prescient of soccer. We get alongside very well and see issues the identical method.”
It has been a summer season of managerial overhaul in Ligue 1.
Luis Enrique is certainly one of solely 4 coaches, alongside Lyon boss Paulo Fonseca, Rennes’ Franck Haise and Le Havre’s Didier Digard, to have stored their jobs throughout the 16 golf equipment who additionally began final season.
Marseille have changed the sacked Habib Beye with Bruno Genesio after they missed out on Champions League qualification, whereas Carlo Ancelotti’s son Davide Ancelotti has taken Genesio’s place at Lille.
Former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid left-back Filipe Luis has joined Monaco and Liam Rosenior is aiming to bounce again from his depressing stint at Chelsea with Paris FC.