Paris Saint-Germain return to Ligue 1 action this weekend as European champions for only the second time in the competition’s history, following their Champions League win over Inter Milan in May and UEFA Super Cup victory against Tottenham in Udine, Italy last night.
Luis Enrique’s side enter the new campaign with minimal preparation — just a week of pre-season training and no friendlies — after a gruelling 65-game season that ended with a FIFA Club World Cup final defeat to Chelsea in July.
While the coach insists retaining the Champions League is the priority, PSG remain heavy favourites to claim a 12th domestic title in 14 years, strengthened by the arrivals of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier from Lille and defender Illia Zabarnyi from Bournemouth.
Challengers and Changes
Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco, last season’s nearest rivals, look best placed to challenge. Monaco have made headlines by signing Paul Pogba on a two-year deal, offering the 32-year-old a chance to revive his career after injury and an 18-month doping ban. Meanwhile, 38-year-old Olivier Giroud returns to France with Lille.
Seven-time champions Lyon, who narrowly avoided enforced relegation due to financial concerns, face a restricted budget after losing key players including Rayan Cherki, Alexandre Lacazette, and Lucas Perri.
Capital Derby Returns
Newly promoted Paris FC, now backed by the billionaire Bernard Arnault family, join PSG in the top flight for the first time since 1990. While president Pierre Ferracci concedes “the gulf between us is huge,” the new Paris derby promises intrigue, with Paris FC playing home matches at the Stade Jean-Bouin, very close to PSG’s Parc des Princes.
Amid financial uncertainty in French football following the collapse of a domestic TV rights deal, the league has launched its own streaming platform. How clubs adapt — both on and off the pitch — will be a defining storyline of the season.