Everything is coming back into place and it seems like the timing is right. Since Ousmane Dembélé is starting to score goals from the Ballon d’Or factory again and PSG knows how to regain its stifling air even if it is sometimes a little late, qualification for the round of 16 of the Champions League looks like a horizon visible from Lisbon.
It will be necessary to reach it without João Neves, still injured, the survivors of the CAN, at least one of whom is happy, and a few sore understudies left in Paris. With 18 players including three goalkeepers, the European champion travels light, without excess baggage or solutions: he will first have to deal with the starters even if a Bradley Barcola or a Gonçalo Ramos coming off the bench could change a game.
With a victory against the 14th in the League phase, PSG would almost settle the matter, barring an unlikely combination of circumstances. “To be honest, it’s important for the team’s confidence to win this Tuesday,” notes Luis Enrique. But it’s not necessarily the best because then we wouldn’t be playing in the play-offs. And as we no longer have the Coupe de France even though we thought we would play it… It’s contradictory but I like contradiction. »
“There is no better competition to show the level of the team”
Even facetious, the coach knows it: a reigning European champion does not bother with politeness and if nothing is decisive yet, the period reminds us of something. A year ago, not in sunny Lisbon but in the rain and at the Parc against Manchester City, Paris brought together all the planets of its galaxy to align them until the masterpiece against Inter Milan.
The meeting can serve as a new springboard or just follow in the footsteps. This PSG 2025-2026 especially puts on the tunic of the fighter found when the Champions League rings, with four victories out of six outings and the best attack of those involved.
If debates may have stirred up the microcosm on his desire for the championship – which no longer exist – his pulse beats stronger and faster for the European Cup. “There is no better competition to show the level of the team. I can understand that my players like to play this type of match. However, I find that the team’s trajectory is the same, regardless of the competition. It’s like last season, in my opinion,” notes Luis Enrique, better placed than anyone to judge.
Paris abandoned the Coupe de France and will perhaps not be champion of France with this incredible Lens but remains crossed by two forces and a milestone: the Champions League and not offering any title to OM, a trophy in itself. If the second part of his obsessions ended in Kuwait, the first, the most significant, the craziest, the most essential, the one which provides and awakens the most emotions, remains active.
One more motivation surrounds this trip, where the Portuguese family will be able to explain themselves without the noise of dishes but by fighting over each plate. Without João Neves but with Nuno Mendes, Vitinha and Gonçalo Ramos, without forgetting the rival Porto where he finds his loved ones, Luis Campos, the sports director, Paris presents the best Portuguese diaspora in Europe. Who will seek to prove that in this small western country, there was a faith, in training as well as in the blossoming of talents. In Lisbon, Paris once again plans to show off its jewels.
