Is PSG's opening Champions League game already a must-win?

PSG's summer activity 

As PSG celebrated a second Champions League victory in Budapest, thoughts immediately turned to how the club can continue to dominate Europe's premier competition and go for the three-peat. 

Real Madrid remain the only club in the history of the competition to lift the trophy three times in a row, but the French side could cement their place at the head of Europe's top table by winning the competition again in 2027. 

Continuity has been the key for Enrique's team, with the only difference between the two winning sides of 2025 and 2026 being the goalkeeper. The 10 outfield players in both finals were exactly the same. 
 

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And that looks to have been largely the plan going into the new campaign. The only major change in the squad gunning for a third Champions League is the sale of Bradley Barcola to Liverpool and the arrival of Spain's World Cup-winning goalscorer Ferran Torres. 

Barcola played an important role in the two European Cup runs, but didn't actually start either final, and in Torres they have a similar profile player who could arguably make the same impact off the bench if required - just like he did in the summer and so often did for Barcelona. 

So, heading into the new campaign, the same PSG all-star team was still in place, but it hasn't begun the way this team normally functions. 

A false start 

Defeat in the Trophée des Champions to Lens in the season opener raised some eyebrows, but three rounds in and PSG are still yet to taste victory. 

Early days it might be, but this is their worst start to a season in 20 years, and they already trail leaders Monaco by seven points. 

Following that defeat to Lens, they opened the league campaign with two 2-2 draws with Rennes and Lille and then lost to the league leaders at home last time out. 

What's gone wrong is difficult to say, and the stats suggest it could well be an early season blip. The French champions are underperforming with regard to their xG, and have so far recorded more shots than all three of their opponents, with 60 to 22. This would suggest their attack should get back on track if they can find some form. 

More alarmingly has been PSG's backline, which has looked particularly vulnerable on the break, fuelling concerns that the defence is slowly reaching a point where it may need fresh and younger blood. 

The addition of Maghnes Akliouche hasn't quite clicked yet in midfield, and many of their big names like Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele look leggy after a long summer. 

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Back to winning ways

There is no need to panic, of course. We are just three games into a domestic season, and if one team can now go on to dominate their league, then it's PSG. 

But what would really give the Frenchman some breathing space and a season reboot would be a comfortable win in the Champions League. 

Not that it will be any kind of cakewalk against the Slovakian champions, who are back among Europe's elite after missing the league phase last year - and under the charge of Yaya Toure. 

A win, though, will settle those new season nerves and get PSG back on track as they look to repeat Real Madrid's famous three-peat. 

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