PSG and Luis Enrique: Worst start in 19 years but belief remains intact

The third round of Ligue 1 2026/26 witnessed an upset when Paris Saint-Germain lost 1-2 to AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes. Luis Enrique's team opened the scoring in the first half, but failed to protect the lead after the interval. That was not just a defeat, but also caused PSG to have their worst start in 19 years in the domestic league. After three rounds, they have only two points and are seven points behind the leaders. Remarkably, the reigning Champions League champions are showing a completely opposite face in the national competition. However, Luis Enrique's attitude surprised many. In the post-match press conference, the Spanish coach did not look worried. He insisted that his players had played well, pressed superbly, and had only lacked a bit of luck in the final shots. "If the two teams met ten times, we would win eight," he said. But football is not decided by "ifs," and the reality is that PSG are at risk of losing the title race already in the early stages of the season. The question is where such confidence comes from when their current record is so bad. Looking at the game against Monaco, one can clearly see the difference between the quality of play and the final result. Monaco had only three shots on target in the whole match, while PSG constantly put pressure on the opponents' half. The visitors often had to drop deep to defend and were lucky to score two goals in the second half. PSG, despite controlling the game, looked blunt in front of goal. That is a psychological issue, as the forwards repeatedly missed good chances. No tactic can fix the poor finishing. PSG fans have the right to be worried, but the club's board has shown great determination. On September 5, PSG officially announced the contract extension of coach Luis Enrique until 2030. This move is not only a reward for the past but also a statement about the future. The board believes in his football philosophy, despite the current results being contrary to expectations. The long-term contract will help the team avoid unnecessary speculation about the coaching seat. It also creates structural stability, allowing players to focus on the football instead of off-field rumors. Historically, this is not the first time PSG have had a slow start in Ligue 1. In the 2026-08 season, they fell to 16th place after the opening rounds and were seriously threatened by relegation. However, the team overcame the difficulties and gradually rebuilt their position. That history shows that a terrible start does not necessarily define the season. With a quality squad and an experienced coach like Luis Enrique, PSG can recover quickly. But modern football has no room for complacency, and every missed opportunity makes the journey harder. One of the few highlights in the loss to Monaco was the pressing. Luis Enrique stated that his team pressed better than in some matches where they did not concede. This shows that the tactical system is working according to his intentions. The players constantly move, create high pressure, and make it difficult for opponents to build up from the back. This is not a team lacking ideas, but a team facing problems in finishing. If they solve that, the door to victory will open in the next games. From my perspective as an observer who has watched many PSG matches this season, this team has a very uncomfortable style of play. They dominate possession, create clear chances, but the lack of precision in the final third has often cost them. This is not a big tactical issue, but a matter of confidence and composure of the forwards. In a match where they create that many chances, scoring only one goal is not acceptable. But that is football, and sometimes results do not reflect the true performance. Every transfer is a card game, and I am among the few who know the real cards. By extending Luis Enrique's contract, PSG have shown that they are not panicking over a bad start. The market never lies, only contracts that have not been read carefully. The new contract is not only recognition of his coaching talent but also a strong signal to the whole dressing room. Everyone knows that the Spanish coach will be around for a long time, and all must unite to overcome this difficult moment. However, the story is not just inside the dressing room. The PSG board will certainly take action in the transfer market if things do not improve. Bringing in new players in January is a possibility, especially for the striker position. A club like PSG cannot accept such an ineffective attack. If necessary, they will not hesitate to spend money to strengthen the squad. People see a fast player, I see a tactical era. The speed of Mbappé is what everyone can count; the speed of decision-making is what I care about. With a club like PSG, making the right decision in the transfer market will be more important than any promise. Pressure is weighing on PSG players, but those who have experienced many big matches know how to handle challenges. The upcoming schedule may offer a chance to regain confidence. In the Champions League, PSG will face Slovan Bratislava, a team not highly rated. A big win will help them ease the pressure and prepare for the next Ligue 1 games. Nothing is better than overcoming difficulties together. Luis Enrique knows this well, and he will surely make appropriate adjustments in tactics and personnel. But besides opportunities, there are hidden risks that PSG need to consider. The lack of a striker with good finishing ability is a serious problem. If not solved soon, PSG will continue to struggle in converting chances. Additionally, the congested schedule between Ligue 1 and the Champions League can cause overloading. Squad rotation will be necessary, but if not well prepared, it can be risky. Many big teams have fallen because of poor load management in key moments. Compared with direct rivals in the title race, PSG still have a superior squad in terms of class and depth. They have many star players who have experienced top-level encounters. With a new contract, Luis Enrique has full support to build a stronger team. But football is not decided on paper, it is decided on the pitch. PSG need to prove they can overcome adversity and come back stronger. With a leader as ambitious as Luis Enrique, the belief in winning the title is entirely justified. At the end of the season, people can look back at this period as a turning point for PSG to wake up. If they turn this shock into improvement, the team will become more dangerous. But if they keep sliding, the title race will become distant. The question is not whether PSG can win the title, but how they will react to the early difficulties. With a passionate coach and a quality staff, I believe PSG will find their way. However, the most important thing is to start winning now, starting with the match against Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League. If they do that, nothing can stop them from defending their Ligue 1 crown and going far in Europe.