Tough start for PSG but Luis Enrique has faith in burst of ‘new energy’ from signings
Paris Saint-Germain host Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Friday in their first home match of the season, seeking to arrest a winless run that has seen them draw both league fixtures so far. Head coach Luis Enrique remains upbeat despite unconvincing performances, insisting the results do not signal the champions are out of the title race and pointing to the strength of their unchanged Champions League-winning starting XI as reason for confidence.
PSG's underwhelming form followed their retention of the Uefa Super Cup, but they subsequently lost the Trophée des Champions to Lens and needed late comebacks to draw with Rennes and Lille, with Ferran Torres and Vitinha inspiring the respective rescues. The club sold four squad players, including Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos, for over €300m (£258m) this summer, bringing in Torres, Lucas Digne, Maghnes Akliouche and Mika Godts to add what Luis Enrique called "new energy" to the squad ahead of the visit of second-placed Monaco, managed by Filipe Luís.
- PSG winless in three games, facing Monaco at home on Friday
- Squad overhaul saw over €300m in player sales this summer
- Luis Enrique insists the champions remain firmly in the title race
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PSG are the reigning European champions, having won the Champions League last season under coach Luis Enrique. Despite that success, they have made an underwhelming start to the new campaign, drawing their opening two league matches and losing a separate cup game to Lens, prompting scrutiny of a team many expected to dominate domestically again.
Money has moved both ways in the transfer market this summer. PSG sold several squad players, including Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos, for a combined fee of more than €300m, while bringing in a smaller number of new signings such as Ferran Torres and Lucas Digne. Luis Enrique argues these new arrivals will bring fresh impetus, even as the club's most important players from last season's title-winning side remain the core of the team.
Monaco, PSG's upcoming opponents, are managed by Filipe Luís and currently sit second in the French league table, making this an early test of where PSG stand relative to their domestic rivals this season.