Paris Saint-Germain Struggle at Start of New Season, Putting Pressure on Enrique as Ligue 1 Form and Champions League Prospects Fade

On September 5 Beijing time, Paris Saint-Germain hosted Monaco. In their previous two matches, they drew with Rennes and Lille, and both games were played away from home, so failing to take all three points was somewhat understandable. However, after returning to their home ground in this round, PSG were determined to secure a victory and hoped a big win would send a warning to their opponents. Instead, they unexpectedly lost 1-2, suffering an awkward start with no wins in their first three matches of the new season.

In this match, Kvaratskhelia started, while Neves returned from injury and partnered with Vitinha and Ruiz, bringing the three midfielders together. Dembélé was placed on the substitutes' bench. Judging from the starting lineup, PSG should have been expected to comfortably claim three points.

After the match began, PSG launched a fierce attack in an attempt to quickly suppress their opponents. In the 31st minute, Kvaratskhelia delivered a cross from the left, and Marquinhos followed up and used his body to send the ball into the net, giving PSG a 1-0 lead. The match was developing as PSG had expected, and it seemed they were finally about to taste victory.

However, the situation changed dramatically in the second half. In the 58th minute, Monaco crossed from the right, PSG's defense failed to mark properly, and Nazzino scored an easy header to make it 1-1. In the 72nd minute, Monaco launched a counterattack, and Idombo broke into the penalty area before firing a close-range shot to complete the comeback for a 2-1 lead. Although PSG continued to apply pressure afterward, they were unable to change the score again and suffered a surprise 1-2 defeat.

Regarding the team's performance, Enrique looked troubled on the sideline, and the Spanish coach was undoubtedly disappointed with the result. PSG have conceded two goals in each of their first three matches, with their defensive quality far below last season's level. This poor defensive form has clearly come at a heavy cost.

Following this defeat, PSG have collected two draws and one loss in their first three matches. They are already seven points behind Monaco in the Ligue 1 standings, with Monaco sitting at the top after winning all their games. As the long-time dominant force in Ligue 1, few would have expected PSG to fall so far behind Monaco so early in the season.

PSG's difficult start in Ligue 1 this season has clearly surprised many people, and it means defending their title will become much more challenging. If PSG have to fight until the final stages of the league campaign to win the title, it will inevitably affect their Champions League performances. In the past two seasons, PSG's repeated success in the Champions League was closely linked to securing the Ligue 1 title early. However, if their title race extends deep into the season, they will no longer have a fitness advantage when facing other top teams. At present, PSG's prospects of achieving three consecutive Champions League titles appear concerning.