PSG is not a top club anymore?
Just eight points from five Ligue 1 matches in the 2023/24 season is PSG's worst start in the era of Qatari owners! Is this a process of restructuring, or do the Parisians no longer claim hegemonic status in France?
After two consecutive eliminations in the Champions League round of 16 (yes, from Real Madrid and Bayern, but still), the PSG management decided to make further changes in the team structure. Moreover, they showed the door not only to head coach Christophe Galtier, but also to a whole cohort of veterans - Messi, Ramos, Neymar, Verratti and others. The last two even managed to bring the club about a hundred million euros.
Newcomers took their place. The new pillar of the center of defense will be Milan Skriniar, the position of left back is given to the world champion Lucas Hernandez, the Uruguayan Ugarte has been invited as a new “pit bull” in the center of the field, and the attack line has been replenished with several new names, including Ramos, Asensio, Colo Muani and Dembele. The winner of the 2015 treble, Luis Enrique, is called upon to mold them into a combat-ready team.
However, in the first five rounds of the league season, PSG defeated only Lyon (4:1) and Lens (3:1), but Lorient (0:0), Toulouse (1:1) and Nice (2:3) took points from them. The Parisians haven’t had such a bad start in a very long time, but the situation can still be improved. Sooner or later, the newcomers will play together and start smashing everyone left and right. Or not?
As for us, the process of restructuring in Paris will take a lot of time. Firstly, tiki taka adept Luis Enrique will face two dozen players who are not accustomed to this style of play. Secondly, team leader Mbappe is unlikely to be very motivated after the deal with Real Madrid fell through. It’s a miracle that the Frenchman is playing at all, but the club’s management planned to leave him on the bench until the end of the season. PSG also faced a “deadly” group in the Champions League, which they may not be able to overcome.
Even in such circumstances, the Parisian giants are among the ten best teams in the world and are still a serious contender for all possible trophies. But in reality, the capitals will have to sacrifice the 2023/24 season in order to perhaps take two steps forward in the future. All the prerequisites for this breakthrough are definitely in place.
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