Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League title defense on shaky ground - ESPN

ESPN

by Mark Ogden

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League title defense is showing signs of struggle as they barely edged past AS Monaco in their playoff clash. Despite leading 3-2 from the first leg, PSG appeared lackluster in front of their home crowd, falling behind early and relying on a controversial red card to turn the tide. The French champions’ inability to dominate proceedings highlighted a noticeable drop in form compared to last season’s dominant run, where they swept through the competition with a 10-0 aggregate win against Brest and ultimately claimed the title. The absence of their usual vibrancy and intensity was evident against Monaco. Key players like Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz have been hampered by injuries this season, contributing to PSG’s unconvincing performance. With only 15 wins in 38 games across all competitions so far, the team is underperforming compared to last year, when they lost just 17 of 65 matches. The heavy workload from last season’s historic success, coupled with fatigue and mental exhaustion, appears to have taken its toll on Luis Enrique’s squad. The lack of consistency in PSG’s play raises concerns about their ability to replicate last season’s magic. Many teams struggle to maintain such high levels of performance after achieving significant success, a trend that Liverpool also experienced this season following their Premier League title win. For PSG, the challenge is whether they can regain their mojo and rediscover the X-factor that carried them to glory last year. The Champions League remains their best hope for redemption, with the Round of 16 clash against either Chelsea or Barcelona looming. However, if they continue to show signs of vulnerability, their hopes of defending the title could be in jeopardy. The outcome of this season’s competition will not only determine PSG’s legacy but also provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by teams attempting to defend major trophies in elite European football.

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/26/2026