As Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) prepares to defend its Champions League title, the team is facing concerns about a crowded calendar and a growing list of injuries. The French champions are set to begin their European campaign against Atalanta on Wednesday, just a few months after their decisive victory over Inter Milan in last season’s final. Despite their poor start in the last Champions League season, the team went on to win the title, but this year, they face new challenges.
The Toll of a Crowded Calendar
Last season, PSG played an exhausting 65 games over 11 months, including 17 Champions League matches and seven in the Club World Cup. The physical toll of this marathon season seems to be catching up with the squad. Several key players, including Ousmane Dembélé, Desire Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Lee Kang-in, and Lucas Beraldo, have recently suffered muscle injuries. Coach Luis Enrique acknowledged the difficult situation but expressed confidence that the team would overcome it.
Squad Depth and Future Challenges
The article notes that PSG surprisingly did not add significant depth to its squad in the transfer window, signing only one new center-back and a goalkeeper. This could be a problem, especially for players like Achraf Hakimi, who played more minutes than anyone else for the club last season and has no natural understudy. With a World Cup approaching at the end of the season, the workload on PSG’s players is set to become even more intense.
