Paris Saint-Germain Stunned by Monaco, Record Worst Ligue 1 Start in 12 Years

A familiar script ended with an unexpected conclusion. On September 5 Beijing time, Paris Saint-Germain hosted Monaco in the third round of Ligue 1. Marquinhos' header gave Paris the lead, but Nazinio soon equalized, and Idumbo completed the comeback with a low-angle strike. When the final whistle blew, PSG had suffered a disappointing 1-2 defeat in this crucial match. After three rounds, they had collected only one point, giving the team its worst Ligue 1 start in the past 12 years.

For a team that has dominated French football for many years, why has the desire for consecutive victories become so difficult to achieve? Enrique was undoubtedly surprised after the match. Perhaps he did not even bother to use a hairdryer and instead tried to extinguish the slump with a fire hose. The players clearly need serious self-examination — league matches cannot be taken lightly, and losing focus will eventually come with a price. This poor run has sounded an alarm for the entire team.

During the match, PSG's problems were fully exposed. Kvaratskhelia delivered a precise cross from the left, and after Marquinhos broke the deadlock, the team fell into a relaxed state of play, appearing slow and casual as if they believed a 1-0 lead would guarantee victory. However, in the 58th minute, Teze passed from the right and Nazinio easily equalized; then in the 72nd minute, Idumbo's powerful strike restored Monaco's lead, with PSG's defense looking extremely fragile. Although Dembélé's assist for Ferran's goal was ruled offside and a late long-range effort went wide, PSG's performance in this match resembled that of an office worker who had not fully woken up, looking sluggish and powerless.

One fan joked: “As long as we are not more than 15 points behind, Paris can definitely catch up. Let's see again when the winter break arrives!” This optimism may sound relaxed, but the reality cannot be ignored. Some fans said local supporters' enthusiasm for PSG has declined significantly. Even if the Champions League achievements are impressive, they only account for a few matches. The league, which is the competition that truly creates a lasting connection, has suffered from a lack of competitiveness and poor scheduling, leaving them awake late at night for disappointing games and understandably frustrated.

From a tactical perspective, PSG's problems are far from being limited to attitude. Last season, whether in the Nations League match against Chelsea or the Champions League encounter with Bayern, the two Portuguese stars often struggled to control situations effectively when the team was under pressure. Their physical disadvantages made them easier targets, and they were prone to losing their positions in chaotic situations, while also lacking the ability to break through defensive pressure. Enrique's tactical ideas are derived from Flick and Klopp, sacrificing some stability in exchange for attacking efficiency. However, in Ligue 1, opponents often adopt deep defensive formations, making PSG's 'chaotic style' difficult to execute.

In addition, the workload of the two Portuguese stars and Fabián Ruiz with their national teams, combined with PSG's heavy reliance on a highly coordinated positional rotation system, means the current difficulties are not surprising.

Three consecutive draws and losses? For PSG, this is a Ligue 1 start they have not experienced since 2012. Although PSG's downfall may appear somewhat amusing from the outside, Paris fans are not laughing. The pressure is now directly focused on Enrique.