September 6: Conceding Two Goals in Four Straight Matches Sets Worst Record in 18 Years, PSG Take Only 2 Points in First Three Rounds — What Happened to the Five-Time Champions League Giants?

The top five European leagues have resumed this season, and the slogan of 'elite club dominance' that was repeated throughout the summer was quickly challenged by reality after only three rounds. If you only look at the scores, you may think there is nothing unusual, but a closer examination of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain reveals enough problems for fans to discuss repeatedly during this international break.

First, Real Madrid. Away against Real Betis, their statistics were overwhelmingly superior. The team had 20 shots, 8 on target, and nearly 60% possession, but the final score was a painful 0-1 defeat.

Mourinho's post-match comment that he 'didn't understand why we lost' sounded like a complaint about luck, but in reality the team exposed an old problem: having possession without turning it into a decisive attack.

Even more painful was the stoppage-time moment when Mbappe, who was expected to deliver, stood over a penalty. If he scored, the script would have moved toward an equalizer. Instead, he missed.

This was not his first missed penalty at Real Madrid, but it was certainly the most costly one. When the team needed a hero to step up, the French star's mental barrier collapsed first.

Media often discuss his goal tally but rarely mention that since joining the club, his penalty conversion rate in key matches has become an issue that Mourinho cannot ignore on the tactical board.

Guler, who was voted the best player of the match, provided 7 key passes and created the most chances in the game, yet the team still lost.

It was somewhat ironic: the chances were delivered perfectly, but the forwards wasted them all.

Mourinho substituted him with 64 minutes still remaining, sparking major debate after the match. Whether it was a tactical adjustment or fitness protection is known only to Mourinho, but the result was that Real Madrid's attack became more chaotic after the change. More frustrating for Madrid fans is that Real Madrid have failed to win in their last five league away matches at Betis, with their last away victory dating back to August 2021.

In five years, after three managerial changes, from the Benzema era to the Mbappe era, they still cannot overcome Betis. Some stadiums really seem cursed.

If Real Madrid can be described as unlucky, Paris Saint-Germain are suffering from a systematic defensive failure.

At home against Monaco, Marquinhos scored early and everything looked positive, but PSG were eventually overturned as the opponents scored two consecutive goals. After the first three Ligue 1 rounds, PSG have two draws and one loss, with 2 points and 12th place in the table.

You read that correctly: this is the Paris Saint-Germain side that won five consecutive Ligue 1 titles and two consecutive Champions League titles. The numbers are harsher: they have conceded at least two goals in four straight Ligue 1 matches, matching their worst defensive record set in 2005.

At that time, most current football fans probably had not even started watching the sport.

Enrique's team has developed a strange 'habitual collapse syndrome': they cannot protect leads and cannot score when behind.

In the first two rounds against Rennes and Lille, they fought back from behind to draw and barely collected one point; this time, after finally scoring first, their defense looked fragile and was repeatedly exposed by Monaco's simple counterattacks. In contrast, Monaco's three straight wins and rise to the top of Ligue 1 represent not only a points advantage but also a symbolic shift.

For the past decade, Ligue 1 has been PSG's backyard, with other teams simply competing for second place. But after three winless matches, PSG are already 7 points behind the leaders, and they will soon face Bratislava away in the first Champions League round.

Once competing on two fronts begins, with the current squad depth and mentality, they may even find themselves firmly in mid-table. What Enrique's team needs most now is not another tactical innovation, but a genuine victory to restore confidence in the dressing room.

Speaking of efficiency, Liverpool and Lille were the most eye-catching teams in this round. Away against Ipswich Town, Liverpool scored twice through Isak within the opening nine minutes, effectively ending the suspense.

After the match, manager Iraola was asked why he made substitutions so early and whether it was to save energy for the Champions League. He answered directly: 'The substitutions were made to help us win the game better and give the opponent no chance.'

The statement sounds practical, but it reflects a philosophy of 'efficient football': I do not seek the prettiest performance or the most impressive possession numbers; I want to hurt you within limited time. Isak has scored 7 goals for Liverpool so far, with 4 assisted by Gakpo, while Gakpo has directly contributed to 4 goals in the first three rounds, a figure second only to peak Salah in Liverpool's 21st century history.

In other words, this 'twin-star' partnership is carrying the Reds forward in the simplest possible way. Meanwhile, Ligue 1 side Lille produced a 'Japanese miracle'.

Just 16 minutes after joining the team, Ayase Ueda scored a stoppage-time winner on his debut to help Lille collect 7 points from three rounds and temporarily move to the top. PSG's Dembele came off the bench and provided an assist, while Ferran completed an equalizer, but VAR ruled it offside after frame-by-frame review.

This shows the clear contrast between elite clubs and mid-level teams when it comes to immediate impact from new signings: Lille achieve more with less spending and precise reinforcements, while PSG spend heavily accumulating stars but repeatedly fall short at crucial moments because of fine offside margins.

The early signals from the standings are already striking: Real Madrid and Barcelona both have 9 points, but Real Madrid are temporarily second because they have played one fewer match; PSG are already two match-equivalents behind the leaders. It is too early to discuss title races, but this poor start could become a major burden during next spring's decisive stage.

More concerning is that Real Madrid's 'Betis curse' and PSG's 'conceding-goals panic' cannot be solved simply by buying one or two stars. The former is a combined tactical and psychological obstacle, while the latter is a collapse of the entire defensive system. The biggest lesson from this night is that when statistical dominance no longer equals victory, and when elite clubs' struggles last longer than star power shines, European football's suspense has returned.

The days when everyone knew the champion before the season even started are being torn apart by one upset and failure after another. Liverpool are advancing through efficiency, Monaco and Lille are changing the landscape through smart operations, while Real Madrid and PSG must first fix their inability to understand the game.

Who do you think will escape their struggles first, Real Madrid or PSG? Or do you have a different view?

Share your opinions in the comments section.