Ousmane Dembele (foto: Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain is at risk of not qualifying for the Champions League knockout rounds after a disastrous group-stage campaign so far.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a perennial contender for the Champions League title, is in danger of failing to qualify for the tournament's knockout stage for the first time in years. After five matches, the French giants sit outside the top 24 teams, with their hopes of progressing now hanging by a thread.
PSG, which reached the Champions League final in 2020, has struggled to make an impact this season. Despite undergoing a complete squad overhaul in the summer, their youthful team has found Europe’s premier competition overwhelming. With three losses from five matches, they are currently 26th in the overall standings, far from the qualification zone for the knockout phase.
In a campaign marked by underwhelming performances, PSG has lost all its marquee matches—against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid, and Bayern Munich. The poor results have left them needing a near-perfect finish to the group stage to have any hope of advancing.
PSG’s remaining fixtures are daunting. They face an away match against a struggling but unpredictable Salzburg, followed by hosting Manchester City, and a final group-stage trip to Stuttgart, a team that has already impressed against top clubs, notably with a strong performance away to Juventus.
After PSG’s 3-1 loss to Bayern, head coach Luis Enrique was brutally honest in his assessment: "We were terrible from the first minute. Bayern dominated the first half, and while we improved in the second, the red card for Dembele made it difficult. Recovering lost points will be tough, but we still have three matches and a chance."
PSG’s only group-stage win came against Girona, with a solitary point earned at home against PSV Eindhoven. This poor form has sparked speculation about Luis Enrique’s future, despite public backing from the PSG board and rumors of a long-term contract extension for the Spaniard.