PSG's collapse after reaching its peak?

PSG has just won its first Champions League title, opening a new chapter in the club's history. But can the club maintain its top position when its young stars are being eyed by other "big clubs"?

Paris Saint-Germain have finally achieved their dream of winning the Champions League.

Paris Saint-Germain finally reached their dream. A resounding 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League final not only brought them their first prestigious trophy, but also marked a symbolic turning point: the birth of “PSG 2.0” – a project that was younger, more rational, and more direction-oriented than the glamorous but chaotic years of the oil era.

But in top-level football, today's glory is never a guarantee for tomorrow. And what PSG should be worried about right now is not who they just beat, but whether they can maintain what led to that victory.

The liberation after shedding the burden of being a superstar.

Undeniably, winning the Champions League in the 2024/25 season is the most vivid proof of the effectiveness of a "strategic liberation." Gone are the days of Neymar and Lionel Messi strutting aimlessly after losing possession; Luis Enrique's PSG is a hungry and mobile pressing machine, where every player – young or experienced – is a link in a logically functioning system.

Kylian Mbappé's departure – seemingly a blow to their ambitions – ultimately opened the door to a purer style of football. No longer revolving around a single star, PSG is now a true team. The way they crushed Inter speaks not only of their superior personnel but also of their high-level tactical preparation.

But football, after all, is a cyclical game. PSG may be at the beginning of an era, but there's no guarantee it will continue if they don't retain their core players – those who have shaped their current style of play.

Many PSG stars have risen to prominence.

Bradley Barcola, Vitinha, Warren Zaïre-Emery, Désiré Doué… this list is like a “menu” of promising young talents catching the eye of Premier League or La Liga giants. And ironically, it was their Champions League victory that brought them into the spotlight – making them targets of temptation from more traditional footballing nations.

Ligue 1 remains a drawback. Despite PSG's dominance, the lack of intense competition can make players feel like they are "playing below par." If they cannot improve the quality of the domestic league – something beyond a club's control – PSG will struggle to retain young stars in the long term, despite attractive salaries and bonuses.

The element of chance in PSG's journey to glory this season cannot be ignored. They only managed 7 points from 6 group stage matches – a figure that, under the old format, could have led to their elimination. The change in the Champions League format inadvertently gave PSG a "lifeline" – something they exploited to the fullest.

The fragile moments in matches against Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal show that PSG, despite their strength, are not invincible. They won thanks to their squad depth, a skilled coach, and the brilliance of their £60 million signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – who brought new life to the attack. But will that happen again? Another season, with different draws and unexpected injuries, will PSG still hold onto their advantage?

Soft power and the unfinished story.

PSG's biggest problem isn't on the pitch, but in their tradition. A single championship title isn't enough to put them on par with Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or the English giants in terms of heritage. PSG is still seen as a "newly rich club"—they have money, players, and titles, but lack the historical depth and symbolic significance to become the "face" of European football.

Luis Enrique may be the one to pave the way, but to go far, PSG needs more than that.

Luis Enrique may be the trailblazer, but to go far, PSG needs more than that: an identity independent of its players, a football ecosystem attractive enough to retain talent, and most importantly – the patience to build. Something they lost during years of chasing stars.

PSG 2.0 is not an illusion. This is a truly strong team – tactically, physically, organizationally, and in terms of personnel depth. But they are at a crossroads: either capitalize on this boost to build a dynasty, or revert to a fragmented team after a few seasons, as they have experienced in the past.

The glory in Munich was a triumph of innovation. But if PSG fails to solve the problem of retaining talent and maintaining its identity, they will forever remain just an "emerging champion" - instead of a true icon.

Source: https://znews.vn/psg-sau-dinh-cao-la-sup-do-post1557610.html