Why Paris St-Germain Are Struggling for Consistency in 2026

Why Are Paris St-Germain Struggling to Find Top Form?

Paris St-Germain’s form under Luis Enrique has raised questions, despite their current standing in Ligue 1 and a place in the top eight of the Champions League league phase. While statistics show PSG dominating possession and chance creation, recent performances expose deeper concerns.

Tactical Dominance but Missed Opportunities

In their Champions League defeat to Sporting, PSG recorded 75% possession, 28 shots, and had three goals ruled out, yet still lost 2-0 after a late brace by Luis Suarez. Despite Luis Enrique describing it as their “best away performance,” the result followed a worrying pattern:

• Dominant matches undermined by defensive lapses

• Wasteful finishing, especially in key away ties

• A lack of cutting edge compared to their treble-winning 2025 campaign

“We deserved to win, but that’s how it is in football,” Enrique said after the Sporting loss.

Mental Fatigue, Not Physical?

Luis Enrique guided PSG to the club’s first Champions League triumph last season

A congested schedule—including the Super Cup just a month after the Club World Cup final, and a midweek trip to Kuwait for the Trophee des Champions—has stretched a squad already plagued by injuries.

Still, Luis Enrique refuses to blame tired legs:

“When we’re winning 5-0, nobody’s tired. When we lose, everybody’s tired. It’s all in the head.”

Injury Crisis Derailing Momentum

Key absences have hurt PSG’s fluidity:

• Ousmane Dembele, Nuno Mendes, Achraf Hakimi, and Desire Doue all missed large parts of the autumn

• Warren Zaire-Emery has admirably deputised at right-back but lacks Hakimi’s attacking flair

• Academy talents like Senny Mayulu and Ibrahim Mbaye are promising but inconsistent

PSG’s reliance on inexperienced players has led to patchy performances, especially in high-pressure games.

Goalkeeping and Defensive Errors

New goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier has been thrust into the spotlight following Gianluigi Donnarumma’s exit. Despite moments of brilliance, costly mistakes persist:

• Against Sporting, Chevalier misjudged both of Suarez’s goals

• Centre-back Illia Zabarnyi was also at fault for passive defending

These errors have added to PSG’s vulnerability in critical Champions League moments.

Ineffective Attack Without Dembele

While PSG thrived without a true No. 9 in 2025, thanks to Dembele’s false-nine brilliance, this season’s attack has lacked dynamism:

• Goncalo Ramos has struggled to find space and form when starting

• PSG’s front line has often been disjointed, with goals hard to come by

• Dembele is only just returning to full fitness and showed his quality with an assist vs Auxerre

“We’re lacking a bit of confidence and accuracy to finish,” Enrique said after a narrow 1-0 win at Auxerre.

Summer Signings Yet to Shine

Luis Enrique has defended underperforming new arrivals:

“At PSG, you’ll be criticised in your first season whatever you do.”

Nevertheless, the likes of Chevalier, Zabarnyi, and Matvey Safonov have yet to justify their signings, as the pressure of Paris continues to test them.

Redemption or Repeat?

Despite setbacks, PSG are still top of Ligue 1 and among Europe’s elite. Their upcoming winner-takes-all clash with Newcastle will be crucial—not just to secure Champions League progression, but to regain momentum ahead of the knockout stages.

Should key players like Hakimi and Dembele stay fit, PSG could still rediscover the spark that earned them European glory in 2025.