When Luis Enrique took over Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2023, the atmosphere around the club felt oddly quiet. The glamour had faded, Messi and Neymar were gone, and Mbappé’s departure rumors were swirling again. But beneath that calm, a storm was brewing—not of drama, but of reinvention.
For the first time in years, PSG wasn’t trying to sign the biggest name in world football. Instead, they handed the reins to a manager known not for headlines, but for building systems. Enrique had done it before—with a treble at Barcelona and a tactically sharp Spanish national side. Now, his challenge was even more layered: turn a superstar-driven brand into a disciplined, sustainable footballing force.
From Galácticos to Grit
PSG has long lived in the spotlight. The Messi-Mbappé-Neymar era was thrilling on paper, but the performances rarely lived up to the hype in Europe. With Enrique’s arrival, everything began to shift.
He didn’t demand new superstars. Instead, the club backed him with players who fit a collective system: Manuel Ugarte brought intensity in midfield, Bradley Barcola offered raw, explosive pace, and Lucas Hernández solidified the backline. The flashy names were replaced by focused workers—and suddenly, PSG started to look like a team again.
This was a bold shift. After all, PSG had built its brand on big names. But for Enrique, tactical clarity and hard work mattered more than global appeal.
The summer of 2024 was a turning point. With Kylian Mbappé’s long-expected departure to Real Madrid finally sealed, the pressure was on. PSG fans worried. Would they collapse without their talisman?
Luis Enrique didn’t flinch.
Without Mbappé and Messi, PSG shifted from glam to grit. Enrique’s reinforcements—Warren Zaïre-Emery, Desiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé—were chosen for their intelligence and team-first attitude .
Enrique’s Gameplanc – Youthful energy: Barcola, Doué, Mayulu
Dynamic formations: A usable 3‑2‑4‑1 adaptive to each opponent
High Octane Press: Fast transitions, intelligent triggers, fewer wasted sprints
“It was never about one player,” Enrique said before the start of the season. “With or without Mbappé, this team will move as one. That’s our identity.” — L’Équipe
A Mixed Bag in Europe, but Signs of Growth
In the UEFA Champions League 2023-24 season, PSG made a deep run—reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2020. They topped a tricky group with Dortmund, Milan, and Newcastle, then knocked out Real Sociedad and Barcelona in impressive fashion.
But the dream ended against Dortmund, who beat them 2–0 on aggregate. It was a frustrating exit, especially since PSG had over 40 shots across the two legs.
“We did more than enough to win, but football is cruel sometimes,” Enrique said after the second leg.— UEFA.com
Even in defeat, PSG looked composed and tactically superior—a far cry from the chaos of their previous European exits.
PSG by the Numbers – A Dominant Domestic Campaign
In Ligue 1, PSG looked almost untouchable:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Final Position | 1st (Champions) |
| Points | 84 |
| Goals Scored | 92 |
| Goals Conceded | 35 |
| Top Scorer | Ousmane Dembélé (21) |
Defensively, the team felt more solid than ever. Donnarumma looked sharper, thanks to better organization in front of him. Marquinhos and Hernández formed a reliable partnership, and midfielders tracked back as part of a unified system.
PSG 5-0 Inter :The UCL Final Scoreline
PSG 5–0 Inter Milan
Yes, you read that right. In a final where most expected tension and tactical chess, PSG unleashed their best performance of the season—and perhaps in club history.From the opening whistle, PSG looked like a team possessed.
The pressing was sharp, the passing was purposeful, and the movement off the ball left Inter Milan rattled. Within 15 minutes, Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring with a powerful finish after a slick team move.
But that was just the beginning.
- Désiré Doué, only 19, scored twice with poise beyond his years.
- Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger, dazzled down the flank and added a superb solo goal.
- Mayulu, another young talent, capped the night with a fifth in the dying minutes.
“We didn’t just want to win—we wanted to make history,” said Luis Enrique post-match. — UEFA.com
Quotes That Defined the Night
Luis Enrique (Manager):
“This isn’t the victory of one game. It’s the reward for believing in a system, for trusting youth, and for staying humble.”
Ousmane Dembélé:
“We were doubted. But today, we showed the world what PSG is really about. Not stars—a team.”
Gianluigi Donnarumma:
“I’ve won trophies before, but this one… this one feels different. This is legacy stuff.”
A Team Built for the Moment
What made this PSG team different wasn’t just their talent. It was the balance between youth and experience, the tactical maturity instilled by Enrique, and the hunger that came from years of being labelled as underachievers.
- Players like Warren Zaïre-Emery and Désiré Doué played beyond their age.
- Marquinhos and Hakimi provided leadership and stability.
- And Enrique? He orchestrated it all with calm authority—managing egos, rotating wisely, and keeping the squad focused on the collective mission.
More Than a Trophy — A Cultural Shift
For the city of Paris and the club’s global fanbase, this was more than a football match. It was a release of emotion, a proof that PSG could finally be more than marketing, more than potential.
“This is for every fan who stood by us when we fell short,” said Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG President. “We are no longer chasing greatness—we are great.”
Luis Enrique became only the second manager to win continental trebles with two clubs—after Guardiola— cementing his legacy.
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Sagnik Banerjee