Paris Saint‑Germain’s 3‑1 triumph over newly promoted Le Mans on Saturday highlighted a growing concern that the club’s domestic campaign is being treated as a secondary priority. Head coach Luis Enrique admitted that the result was “typical” of PSG’s approach, but the fact that he made four substitutions within the first hour of the match raised alarm bells. The game, played in the middle of October, showed that the team’s focus is still largely on the Champions League, with the Ligue 1 side being used to manage squad depth rather than to secure decisive victories.
Over the summer, PSG spent more than €150 million on new signings, yet none of the arrivals were intended to challenge the established starters. The new players – including Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts – were brought in to provide cover and rest for the first‑team regulars, rather than to shake up the hierarchy. As the squad returned from the international break, the manager’s emphasis on “squad management” became evident. In the match against Le Mans, the likes of Dembélé, Nuno Mendes and other key figures were omitted from the lineup, allowing the fringe players to get minutes.
The match itself was a showcase of PSG’s depth. After a penalty‑scored opening by Lucas Beraldo, the team’s attacking options were rotated heavily. Kvaratskhelia, Ruiz, Doué and Vitinha were introduced in the second half, and a long‑range effort from Ruiz led to a quick goal by Kvaratskhelia just two minutes later. Akliouche, who had struggled since his €50 million move from Monaco, netted his first goal for the club, sealing the win. Despite the 3‑1 margin, the game exposed the thinness of the squad; the players who were on the bench had to be brought on early, and the quality of the opposition’s defense was noticeably lower than that of PSG’s usual opponents.
The result underscores a broader issue: PSG’s summer strategy has focused on building an alternate XI capable of winning Ligue 1 at a “canter”, but the new signings have yet to prove their worth in decisive moments. With the departure of Bradley Barcola to Liverpool, the attacking options have been further reduced, leaving Godts, Akliouche and Torres to step up. Their performances have been inconsistent, and the club’s reliance on a thin squad could jeopardize its ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.
Looking ahead, PSG will face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday. Luis Enrique is expected to make nine outfield changes for the match, indicating that the issues raised against Le Mans will likely persist. If the team cannot muster the same level of performance in the league, the club’s confidence in achieving a third consecutive Champions League title may be shaken. The next few weeks will test whether PSG’s depth can sustain its dual ambitions or whether the club will need to rethink its approach to squad rotation and player utilisation.