Paris Suffer Shock 1-2 Loss to Monaco, Record Worst Ligue 1 Start in 12 Years

The poor form was expected, but not this poor. A team that has dominated Ligue 1 for years being unable to win a league match is simply astonishing. After the game, Enrique probably did not even want to use his usual hairdryer treatment and instead went straight for a fire hose—the players deserved a serious wake-up call.

Do not assume the league title can be won by casually playing every match. Relaxation and complacency will eventually bring consequences, and PSG's three-match winless run has sent a warning to the entire team. The match also exposed Paris' problems in a very clear way.

Kvaratskhelia delivered a precise cross from the left, and Marquinhos broke the deadlock—after taking the lead, Paris returned to a cautious style, passing the ball slowly as if a 1-0 lead was already secure. But what happened? In the 58th minute, Teze sent a cross from the right and Naciniou equalized easily; in the 72nd minute, Idubo scored from a tight angle to complete the comeback, leaving Paris' defense looking extremely fragile.

Dembélé assisted Ferran for a goal that was ruled offside, and a long-range effort went wide late on. Throughout the match, PSG played like an office worker who had not shaken off their morning frustration—slow, hesitant, and lacking energy.

Some fans joked: "As long as Paris are not 15 points behind, they can definitely catch up. Check again after the winter break, they will have turned it around!" It sounds relaxed, but the question is—how do you know they will not fall 15 points behind? Other fans made a sharper point: "Paris really cannot attract that many die-hard fans in China. Even if they have an amazing Champions League season, there are only a few such games. Truly loyal fans watch the league. Ligue 1 is already less competitive and played at inconvenient times, while Paris often 'takes it easy' in league matches. Fans wake up in the middle of the night to watch a poor performance—what is the point?"

From a tactical perspective, Paris' problems go far beyond attitude. Last season, whether against Chelsea in the Nations League or Bayern in the Champions League, the Portuguese midfield duo showed clear weaknesses in controlling matches during difficult periods—their physical disadvantage made them easier to target, they lost positions in chaotic situations, and they lacked the ability to break through defensive pressure directly.

Enrique's strategic approach follows a similar path to Flick and Klopp: sacrificing some stability in exchange for attacking efficiency in chaotic situations. This style was enough to support two consecutive Champions League titles, partly because Enrique and this group of players fit well together, and partly because other major clubs were rebuilding and unable to directly challenge Paris.

But Ligue 1 is different. When opponents set up deep defensive blocks, Paris' chaotic attacking style often struggles to create opportunities. In addition, the Portuguese duo and Fabián Ruiz have spent significant energy with their national teams, while Paris' highly demanding rotation system requires a very high level of understanding between players—so the poor start is not difficult to explain.

What does three consecutive draws mean? It is a Ligue 1 opening that Paris has not experienced since 2012. PSG collapsed dramatically, and the manner of the collapse even seemed somewhat ironic—but Paris fans certainly could not laugh about it.

The pressure is now directly on Enrique. The coach who was previously praised as being at the top of his game may now have to experience what it feels like to face speculation about his job. After all, in football there are no eternal winners, only people who are constantly being judged.

Looking back at this defeat, the most frustrating part is not the loss itself, but the feeling that it was a match they should not have lost. Paris' squad strength is clearly above the rest of Ligue 1, and Monaco are also a strong team, but in a direct contest the balance of power seemed obvious. Yet the match developed in a completely unexpected way, and even the most optimistic fans probably did not expect this result.

It brings to mind the old saying: you do not fear a strong opponent, you fear failing yourself. The PSG stars, whose combined transfer values amount to billions of euros, produced such a performance in front of their own supporters, so it is no surprise that they have been widely mocked online.

Of course, the season is still long, and it is too early to draw conclusions. However, with two-thirds of the Ligue 1 schedule already completed, if Paris cannot adjust quickly, defending the title will not be the only concern—even securing second place could become difficult. At that point, the opponents who once mocked them may laugh even louder.

As for Enrique, his tactical plans may need to be redrawn. A chaotic attacking style may work in the Champions League, but relying on it to dominate Ligue 1 throughout the season is clearly unrealistic. Against opponents who sit deep, Paris need solutions to break through rather than continuing to become absorbed in possession for its own sake.

Overall, this defeat has reminded Paris that Ligue 1 is not a charity competition and every match must be taken seriously. Otherwise, it may not stop at three consecutive poor results, and future matches could bring more setbacks. In football, there are no championships that are guaranteed; victories must always be earned through effort.