PSG Eyes Atalanta Clash as Enrique Confident, Dembele Sidelined
Paris Saint-Germain begin their Champions League title defense with a huge test against Atalanta at Parc des Princes, and the buildup to this match has been filled with a mix of confidence, caution, and concern. Luis Enrique, who guided PSG to their first-ever Champions League crown last season, has said that winning it again will actually be easier this year. According to him, that long-awaited breakthrough lifted an enormous weight off the team’s shoulders. The likes of Ousmane Dembele, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and Achraf Hakimi were praised for leading the way during that historic treble-winning campaign.
But as much as Enrique is optimistic, there is also an acceptance within the squad that the challenge ahead is never simple. Marquinhos, PSG’s captain and one of the most experienced figures in the dressing room, openly admitted that Atalanta will be a complicated opponent. He recalled their fiery 2020 quarter-final encounter, where PSG had to wait until the very last minutes before turning the game around. Back then, Atalanta were at their peak under Gian Piero Gasperini, but even today under Ivan Juric, their fearless and physically intense style of play remains intact. Marquinhos stressed that Italian teams are always tactical and always ready to cause problems, and that adaptability will once again be crucial.
Also Read:- Ajax Faces Inter Without Berghuis – Who Will Step Up?
- Canada’s Express Entry Draw #366 Invites 228 PNP Candidates
The timing of this match, however, has been clouded by the absence of one of PSG’s most explosive players. Ousmane Dembele, who has become central to Enrique’s system since joining from Barcelona, is unavailable after suffering a serious right hamstring injury while on international duty with France earlier this month. Medical scans confirmed that he will be sidelined for at least six weeks. That means he will not only miss this opener against Atalanta but also key fixtures in Ligue 1, including the clash with Marseille, and potentially a high-profile reunion with his former club, Barcelona, in the group stage. For supporters, his absence is a bitter blow, especially considering how decisive he was last season.
Despite this setback, PSG arrive in frightening form. They crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in last season’s Champions League final, lifted the UEFA Super Cup in August, and have already won all four Ligue 1 matches this season. Enrique’s men have shown the kind of unity and fluidity that makes them the team to beat in Europe. Atalanta, meanwhile, are finding their rhythm under Juric, with a strong 4-1 victory over Lecce last weekend serving as a timely reminder that they can trouble anyone on their day.
So while Enrique speaks with confidence about PSG’s chances of defending their crown, the mood is one of cautious optimism. The Parisians know from painful experience that Atalanta can drag them into a battle. Still, with belief soaring, depth in the squad, and the memory of last year’s triumph fresh in their minds, PSG step into this clash eager to show why they are once again considered Europe’s most dangerous side.
Read More:
0 Comments