How Luis Enrique has turned PSG into serious Champions League contenders

After Kylian Mbappé’s departure last summer, and given the exits of Neymar Jr and Lionel Messi the year before, many questioned how Paris Saint-Germain would cope without the star power. The team had lost three global icons in quick succession, which raised doubts about their ability to compete at the highest level.

However, under the steady guidance of Luis Enrique, Les Parisiens have quietly evolved into one of the most formidable sides in Europe. While their domestic dominance in Ligue 1 has never really been in question, it’s the UEFA Champions League where they have consistently fallen short despite years of heavy investment—reaching the final just once, in 2020, before this season. 

This season, however, has been a different story. PSG cruised to the Ligue 1 title with little resistance and have now reached the Champions League final, having dispatched the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal along the way.

It’s worth noting that their European campaign has been a rocky one. They had to play through the playoffs after finishing 15th in the league phase. They hit the jackpot with January signing Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has added that missing spark in their front line. Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes have been exceptional for them this season as well. 

Let’s take a look at Enrique’s journey with PSG and how he has transformed them into one of the most exciting and feared opponents in Europe. 

Start of the journey

Enrique had been a serial winner long before joining PSG. Having won multiple LaLiga titles, Copas del Rey, and one UEFA Champions League title among other honours with Barcelona as well as a UEFA Nations League title with Spain, the 55-year-old was appointed as the PSG manager in the summer of 2023 on a two-year contract.

The Spaniard proved his trophy-winning credentials right away, winning a domestic treble in France in the 2023/24 season. This season, PSG have already secured the Ligue 1 title and have reached the French Cup final along with the Champions League final—on course to win a historic treble.

Finding the right players

With the departure of star performer and top scorer Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid at the start of the 2024/25 season, a lot of questions were asked of PSG as to how they’d replace a player of his calibre and stature. Now, though, it seems they have improved without the dependency on Mbappé.

PSG’s front line features some very exciting young players like Désiré Doué and Bradley Barcola alongside the more experienced Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé. The likes of Doué, João Neves, and Willian Pacho were roped in last summer, while Kvaratskhelia was brought in mid-season.

Enrique has acquired fast, technical players that can play in a dynamic manner and are also comfortable on the ball under pressure. 

Style of play and tactics

Enrique plays a traditional 4-3-3 formation with two centre-backs, two fullbacks, three midfielders, and three players in attack. However, his tactics aren’t straightforward, as dynamic rotations take place depending on the opposition’s tactics.

His fullbacks stay wide and forward to form a midfield overload, with the two centre-halves and the goalkeeper forming a back three and involved in the build-up. PSG’s first-choice fullbacks, Nuno Mendes on the left and Achraf Hakimi on the right, are technical and athletic players with both defensive and offensive qualities. 

The three midfielders can play either as a double pivot behind an attacking midfielder or one defensive midfielder behind two 8s. 

Coming to the front three, Enrique plays with two wide wingers and a centre-forward or a false nine, depending on the situation. When facing a high-press opposition, the centre-forward drops into midfield, creating a numerical advantage to deal with the press. In other situations, the build-up is carried out through the fullbacks and wingers, with the centre-forward holding position up front. Dembélé and Lee Kang-in have been used in the centre-forward position this season, though either can play on the right as well. Doué, Barcola, and Kvaratskhelia, meanwhile, have been the go-to options on the flanks. 

Having quick attacking fullbacks and wingers also helps in creating quick transitions and counter-attacks, which allows the team to score from direct play along with building through midfield. 

Enrique is a tactically astute manager who tweaks his formations to find answers to the opposition’s tactics. His attack-minded, fluid form of football has been exciting to watch this season. 

Conclusion

With PSG on course for a historic treble, Luis Enrique has silenced his critics in emphatic fashion. Many expected the team to fall off following the departure of their talismanic star, but instead they’ve been revitalised thanks the decorated manager.

Under Enrique’s guidance, the PSG players have not only developed individually, they’ve also fully embraced his tactical philosophy. He has fostered a sense of unity within the team that had long been lacking during the superstar-driven years of the past.

At its core, football remains a team game. In the long run, collective spirit and shared responsibility will always triumph over reliance on individual brilliance.