Three things we learned as PSG start Champions League title defense with convincing 4-0 win against Atalanta | OneFootball

PSG got their Champions League title defense off to a winning start. Les Parisiens have put Atalanta Bergamo to the sword with a convincing 4-0 win. Goals from Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes and Gonçalo Ramos ensured Luis Enrique a winning mid-week return at Parc des Princes.

Les Parisiens activate Champions League mode early on

Last season, PSG started their Champions League campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 win against Girona thanks to a 90th-minute Paulo Gazzaniga own goal. This time around, PSG fans only had to wait for three minutes to watch their favorite team score. As soon as PSG took to the pitch, Luis Enrique’s team looked way different than the one that puttered to four Ligue 1 wins in as many games.

Les Parisiens have shown the confidence, swagger and intensity befitting of Champions League winners. Luis Enrique’s blueprint was on show with constantly-interchanging midfielders and marauding defenders, even Marquinhos, joining in attack at will. At the hour mark, the Brazilian centre-back had as many touches in Atalanta’s penalty box as Bradley Barcola. Ivan Juric had no answer and PSG just cruised to victory.

Attack provides food for thought for Luis Enrique

In the absence of Ousmane Dembélé, one would have expected Luis Enrique to bring an experienced centre-forward like Gonçalo Ramos to lead the line. On the contrary, the Spaniard raised a few eyebrows in selecting 19-year-old attacking midfielder Senny Mayulu as a false 9. The experiment was far from remarkable and was cut short with the PSG Academy graduate replaced before the hour mark.

The wingers were the danger men for PSG again, but Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratkhelia had contrasting games. The France international was a pressing menace, but he was all too wasteful, as shown by his embarrassing attempt at a penalty. On the contrary, the Georgian popped up with a long-range screamer and was, as ever, a delight to watch under the Champions League floodlights. Plenty to ponder for Luis Enrique as tougher tests await in the Champions League.

Injury concerns continue for PSG

On Sunday, against Lens, Lucas Beraldo, Kang-in Lee and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia players pulled out with injuries, adding their names to Paris’ list of unavailable players that includes Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé. The France internationals picked up knocks while on Les Bleus duty. Luis Enrique could eventually rely on Lee and Kvaratkhelia for tonight, but another player has thrown in the towel.

The indispensable João Neves cut his efforts short early in the second half after feeling some discomfort in his thigh. The Portuguese prodigy is expected to undergo exams in the following hours. Such a run of bad luck with injuries was unheard of last season as Luis Enrique could rely on a trusted core of 15 match-fit players for most of the campaign. It appears PSG are paying the strain of the Club World Cup, which considerably lowered their number of pre-season days.

GFFN | Bastien Cheval