PSG Issues a Strong Reminder to Ligue 1 About Standards and Accountability

This week, Paris Saint-Germain experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. First came disappointment after their loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Concerns grew with the news of injuries to Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi, who was tackled from behind by Luis Diaz. On Wednesday, the club confirmed that both the Ballon d’Or winner for 2025 and the Moroccan player would be out for several weeks, along with Nuno Mendes, who also joined the injury list. Despite these setbacks, Paris quickly shifted focus to preparing for their upcoming clash against OL. Coach Luis Enrique made adjustments to his squad.

Despite the challenges, the team secured a 3-2 victory with a last-minute goal from João Neves. In the press conference, the coach praised his team’s resilience. “It’s a word I appreciate. I used it to describe the right mentality that drives us to win this match. We scored first, but I saw that OL was a mature team. They quickly equalized. We didn’t even get to enjoy our second goal, which would have let us control the game. That last goal, scored under pressure, allowed us to win. It’s crucial for us to showcase our abilities and determination when facing difficulties. We remain at the top of the league, and we are pleased,” he said.

PSG is committed to Liga 1

Despite some opinions to the contrary, PSG, facing challenges this season due to injuries and fatigue, is determined to defend their Liga 1 title. João Neves confirmed this in the mixed zone. “We continue to be in first place. What’s most important is that the team wins. It’s not about my goals or another player’s. The team always comes first. OL is a strong team that gives their all on the pitch for victory in the league. We were stronger in this match and didn’t give up until the end. We know the league is tough with formidable teams, so we can’t relax. This is a testament to our effort and spirit,” he stated.

He addressed those who claim Liga 1 isn’t a priority for PSG. “That’s not true for us. The league is very important. We play every week. The Champions League, which we’ve won, is also crucial. So, winning brings us joy, but what’s said about the league not being important is false,” he added. Lucas Hernandez echoed similar sentiments: “It was evident today (yesterday). We want to win Liga 1 and stay at the top. By winning this match, we knew we would sleep as leaders before the break. That was our goal, and we achieved it,” he remarked. After 12 games, PSG leads the table with 27 points (8 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss), sending a clear message to the rest of Liga 1, especially to OM (25 points) and Lens (25 points) closely behind them. More to come in the next episode.