Ousmane Dembélé expresses a light-hearted confidence when he remarks that failing to press on the field could lead to him being sidelined by coach Luis Enrique. The Ballon d’Or recipient does not rely on external pressure to engage in defensive duties. Like his teammates, he appears to enjoy a facet of the game that was once considered unnatural for forwards. Traditionally, strikers focused on attacking while defenders took care of the back line, but the landscape of football has evolved significantly.
The formidable attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar was once a tantalizing prospect for Paris Saint-Germain, yet it did not yield a Champions League title and lacked a sense of joy in their play. Their approach of prioritizing offense over defense rendered PSG’s games less exciting. Their failure served as a crucial lesson: success in football cannot solely rely on overwhelming attacking talent.
In his final season at PSG, Luis Enrique attempted to impart this lesson to Mbappé. A documentary detailing Enrique’s inaugural year at PSG includes a moment where he confronts Mbappé about his defensive lapses during a Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona. Luis Enrique’s message was unmistakable: “I understand you admire Michael Jordan,” he stated. “Jordan held his teammates accountable and defended fiercely. While your goal-scoring abilities are undeniable, it’s crucial to contribute defensively when scoring is not possible. Leading by example in pressing creates a cohesive team.”
Mbappé later acknowledged that he was preoccupied with a potential move to Real Madrid at that time and did not fully embrace Luis Enrique’s philosophy. The France captain was hesitant to compromise his attacking freedom, a luxury afforded to him by previous coaches, in favor of a more collective defensive effort.
In contrast, the current PSG attacking lineup—comprising Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Désiré Doué, and Bradley Barcola—exhibits no such reluctance. Doué leads Europe’s top five leagues in pressing per 90 minutes, with Kvaratskhelia also ranking among the best. One memorable moment from last season’s Champions League final featured Dembélé poised to intercept a goal-kick from Yann Sommer, highlighting the high expectations present in the squad. The competitive environment, where four elite players vie for three positions, ensures that players understand the seriousness of compliance with tactical demands.
Furthermore, the players themselves, especially Dembélé, are pushing for higher standards. “We must prioritize winning for Paris Saint-Germain,” he stated in February. “If we play for ourselves, it won’t yield results. Last season, we put the club first, and we need to regain that mentality.” Their performances in the Champions League suggest his message has resonated with his colleagues.
This season, PSG ranks second in ball recoveries in the Champions League, trailing only Atlético Madrid. Last year, they led this statistic significantly. Their recent display against Bayern Munich demonstrated that their defensive efforts do not compromise their offensive flair or entertainment value.
Kvaratskhelia exemplifies this balance, having scored 10 goals and provided five assists in the Champions League—a record for any PSG player in a single season. He has also become one of only four players to score or assist in six consecutive knockout matches. Dembélé achieved a similar feat last season.
PSG is not the only club adopting an aggressive pressing strategy, and there has been recent discussion regarding the factors that enable their successful implementation, especially compared to teams in England.
The competitive nature of Ligue 1, reduced to 18 teams in 2023, the cancellation of the Coupe de la Ligue in 2020, and the substantial financial gap between PSG and other domestic clubs all contribute to their current level of performance in the Champions League. Bayern Munich’s similar success in the Bundesliga is a testament to this phenomenon.
Regardless, PSG’s dynamic, high-pressing style has proven effective, and many top European clubs are striving to emulate their approach. This represents a notable shift in French football, which has traditionally been influenced by a variety of styles. While alternative strategies exist—as evidenced in the other Champions League semi-final—PSG is clearly at the forefront of this evolution.
In other news, PSG’s defensive prowess contrasts sharply with the struggles of Marseille under coach Habib Beye. Since Roberto De Zerbi’s departure in February, the team’s decline has been pronounced. De Zerbi had stated last season that he would leave if he was the issue, and recent developments suggest he was not to blame. There is a growing sense of stagnation, compounded by reported internal conflicts and a belief that Beye’s tenure may be nearing its end. He took over a team that was fourth in the standings, but they have since fallen to seventh following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Nantes. The crucial Champions League qualification may now be out of reach for the club, while Nantes, with only five league victories this season, has managed to defeat Marseille twice, giving themselves a slim chance of survival and potentially sealing Beye’s fate, although he is expected to complete the season.
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