PSG Secures 3-0 Win Over Angers as Luis Enrique Rotates Squad Ahead of Bayern Clash
Paris Saint-Germain claimed a comfortable 3-0 victory over Angers SCO on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Stade Raymond-Kopa in a Matchday 31 Ligue 1 fixture that served as final preparation for their UEFA Champions League semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich.
The result extended PSG’s lead at the top of Ligue 1 to six points over second-place RC Lens, allowing head coach Luis Enrique to rotate his squad heavily although maintaining momentum ahead of the high-stakes European clash.
Speaking after the match, Enrique expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance despite the numerous changes to his starting XI. “It’s a decent piece of news, due to the fact that we continue with a good performance and we take a few more points ahead of Lens,” Enrique said. “We showed our ability to string together good performances.”
The victory was built on a disciplined team effort, with Enrique singling out midfielder Lucas Beraldo for praise. “Beraldo, he’s the man of the match, he did everything well,” Enrique stated. “It’s good to know he can play at that position and at a very high level. It’s difficult to improve every action of play like he did today. He has a bright future in this role.”
Enrique’s decision to rotate came as no surprise given the congested schedule. PSG had played Lyon on Sunday and Nantes on Wednesday before traveling to Angers, with the Bayern Munich semifinal first leg scheduled for Tuesday at Parc des Princes.
According to matchday reports, Enrique fielded an experimental lineup featuring several players who rarely start. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier earned his first start since January 2023, replacing the injured Matvey Safonov. The defensive line included Warren Zaire-Emery at right-back, Lucas Hernandez at left-back, and a central pairing of Evan Pacho and Ilya Zabarnyi, with Marquinhos rested after playing the full Nantes match.
In midfield, Enrique opted for a trio of Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves, and Lucas Beraldo — a combination intended to aid Ruiz regain match rhythm following a long injury absence. The attacking line consisted of Kang-In Lee, Senny Mayulu, and Bradley Barcola, with the usual front three of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Désiré Doue all resting.
Despite the rotational nature of the side, PSG controlled proceedings from the outset. Beraldo’s energetic display in midfield helped dictate tempo, while the front three combined effectively to create chances. The clean sheet was particularly notable given the defensive reshuffling, with Chevalier making several key interventions to preserve his shutout.
The win marked PSG’s sixth consecutive victory across all competitions and reinforced their status as Ligue 1 leaders. With Lens dropping points elsewhere, the six-point gap provides a meaningful buffer as PSG enters the Champions League semifinals.
Enrique acknowledged the challenge posed by Angers, noting that complacency could have led to difficulties. “It wasn’t easy, because if we had faced Angers with too much relaxation, we would have had problems,” he said. “But the team responded well.”
The only notable incident came when Sergio Ramos received a red card late in the match, though Enrique downplayed its significance. “No, it’s just an anecdote,” he said when asked if the dismissal marred the performance.
Looking ahead, PSG now turns full attention to the Bayern Munich tie. The first leg kicks off Tuesday at Parc des Princes, with the return leg scheduled for the following week at Allianz Arena. A victory in the semifinal would set up a potential final meeting with either Inter Milan or Barcelona.
For Angers, the loss leaves them in 13th place in Ligue 1, though their focus remains on avoiding relegation as the season enters its final stretch.
The result underscores PSG’s squad depth and Enrique’s willingness to trust rotation even during critical phases of the season. With key players rested and others gaining valuable minutes, the Parisians enter their Champions League semifinal with both momentum and options.
As Ligue 1 concludes in the coming weeks, PSG’s immediate priority remains securing the domestic title while pursuing European glory. Saturday’s win over Angers represents another step in that dual pursuit.
The next checkpoint for Paris Saint-Germain is the Champions League semifinal first leg against Bayern Munich on Tuesday, April 29, 2026, at Parc des Princes in Paris, kickoff scheduled for 9:00 PM local time (3:00 PM UTC).
What are your thoughts on PSG’s rotation strategy and their chances against Bayern? Share your views in the comments below.
