The moment Paris St-Germain made a spectacular breakthrough was probably on January 22, 2025. Against Manchester City, they were behind by two goals in the second half and made an impressive comeback to win 4-2. If they had not reversed the situation, they would have been eliminated from the Champions League.
Instead, PSG played explosively, winning 17 of their next 19 matches. Under the leadership of coach Luis Enrique, PSG became an almost perfect machine, winning the domestic treble and the first UEFA Champions League title in history.
Enrique often praises his players for their quick response to adversity. He certainly hopes for the same when Cole Palmer's double helps Chelsea take a two-goal lead in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final.
However, his return never came, leaving Enrique with big questions. However, if they had analyzed more carefully, PSG could not react because Chelsea did not allow them to do so. The Blues played explosively, combining the intensity of a heavy attack with skillful tactics.
Coach Enzo Maresca himself said after the match: "We kept that intensity as long as possible, probably 35 minutes. But it turned out to be enough to win the game because we were 2-0 up at the time."
This could also be the answer Enrique wants to hear. The final match in the US stunned PSG and perhaps Enrique himself. Chelsea have enough physical strength to make PSG falter. But most of PSG's opponents will not be able to do so.
However, in that sense, Enrique should not worry. They were beaten by a superior opponent, and things could have gone in a different direction. But at the same time, this is also a type of failure that sows doubts.
Perhaps Vitinha and his teammates were not strong enough to withstand the pressure as everyone often thought. Perhaps Ousmane Dembele has not yet reached his peak. Perhaps sometimes, having a striker who plays with his back to the goal is not bad. Perhaps Enrique, with all his advice, must find a way to deal with Chelsea.
This will be an exciting summer for PSG. They need to make a decision on Gianluigi Donnarumma with the goalkeeper having only one year left on his contract. The absence of Willian Pacho (due to suspension) has weighed on the defense, while Marquinhos is no longer young and Lucas Beraldo is not improving. Maybe they need more additions in the center-back position.
However, apart from that, PSG does not need many other personnel upgrades. These players will have to continue to develop together as a team if PSG want to come back stronger. Enrique will need to play an important role in this process.
