In a season that will always be remembered in the history of football, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) became Champions reached the top of European football by winning their first ever UEFA Champions League title. With manager Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG won not only Europe, but did so as part of a historic treble, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Champions League. PSG is the first French club to achieve such a treble and are now true champions.
Champion’s Foundation: A New Era Under Luis Enrique
After being appointed in July 2023, Luis Enrique was able to create a new vision at PSG by focusing on the collective rather than individual brilliance. The removal of Mbappé and the signing of a more collective squad, such as João Neves, Willian Pacho, Désiré Doué, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, led to a collective style of play and team identity that would build a team capable of winning Championships.
Champion’s Journey: Dominance in Ligue 1
Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) domestic season was extraordinary; they won the Ligue 1 title with six matches remaining. The team was unbeaten in their first 28 games to hold a firm grip on the title. Ousmane Dembélé was the league’s leading scorer and scored 21 goals, in addition to countless assists. PSG was the attacking embodiment of Ligue 1.
Champion’s Triumph: Coupe de France Glory
PSG showed their ability to rotate and reload in the Coupe de France. They captured their 16th title after dismantling Reims in the final.Pretty. Freaking. Good. The tournament showcased young players like Désiré Doué and Warren Zaïre-Emery who played significant roles throughout the tournament. Youth integration into the first team is a big deal for PSG
Champions’ Challenge: Navigating the Champions League
Group Stage: A Statement Win Against Manchester City
PSG started their journey in the Champions League with a rocky road through the group stage, including an amazing comeback 4-2 in their last game of the stage against Manchester City, where the goals were scored by Dembélé, Barcola, Neves, and Ramos eventually signified that PSG expected to be serious contenders.
Round of 16: Defeating Liverpool at Anfield
PSG lost the first leg against Liverpool at home 1-0 but came back to win away at Anfield 1-0 off a great early goal by Dembélé. The tie went to penalties and in the 4-1 penalty shootout victory by PSG, Gianluigi Donnarumma came through with some spectacular saves in the shootout and was the main reason why PSG had such a large margin.
Quarterfinal: Just Past Aston Villa
In the quarterfinal, PSG faced Aston Villa. There were some big-time contributions from Désiré Doué and he had the best of him and crucially equalized in the vital first leg against Aston Villa. They eventually won the aggregate 5-4 and really showed that they can win tight matches.
Semifinals: Mastery of Tactics vs. Arsenal
PSG played Arsenal in the semifinals of the tournament. In the first leg, Dembélé scored the vital first goal in the tie was crucial. PSG had a great second leg and they controlled their discipline and tactics perfectly. They won the two-leg tie 2-1 on the aggregate to earn their spot in the largest football club.
Champion’s Pinnacle: A Historic Final Against Inter Milan
The final of the Champions League was a culmination of PSG’s flawless performance, an enormous 5-0 triumph against Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena in Munich. Goals from Hakimi, Doué (2), Kvaratskhelia, and Mayulu not only earned them the title as champions but served as a record-breaking margin for victory in the final of a European Cup. The dominant victory crowned PSG European champions for the first time.
Champion’s Architect:
Luis Enrique’s tactical mindset and emphasis on team rather than individual responsibility turned PSG into a real team. He was very good at finding a way to integrate the new signings and develop the young players into a legitimate team. This is essential in winning the treble, and his stewardship has cemented his position as one of the best managers in the game.
Champion’s Legacy: A New Chapter in PSG’s History
This treble winning season for PSG marks a defining moment for their story. Moving into the future focusing on team first and the future and focusing on youth, PSG have given themselves a sustainable plan to move towards the future. This accomplishment advances PSG’s standing in the reputation of European football and sets a high-water mark on how to build a championship winning team focused on togetherness and progress.
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