Paris Saint-Germain are struggling at the start of their Ligue 1 campaign after two consecutive matches salvaged by late drama. The reigning champions drew 2-2 at Lille on Friday night, a worrying repeat of their opening day comeback against Rennes, as reported by heavy.com.
The Parisian squad is navigating this tricky period without several key players. Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye, and João Neves are currently sidelined, limiting Luis Enrique's options. You can check the full squad status on our injuries page.
Why is Paris Saint-Germain struggling in the league?
The same script has played out twice. On Matchday 1, Paris Saint-Germain trailed 2-0 to Stade Rennais before a Ferran Torres brace, including a late equalizer, rescued a point. Against Lille, the club again conceded twice, with goals from Hákon Haraldsson in the 21st minute and Dilane Bakwa in the 84th. The reply came very late, with Vitinha scoring in the first minute of stoppage time and Marquinhos in the 95th to snatch the draw. Luis Enrique noted, "It’s the second straight league match in which my side has fallen two goals behind and only leveling the score once the clock was almost gone."
Are the underlying stats misleading for Paris Saint-Germain?
The raw numbers don't reflect the difficulties faced. Paris Saint-Germain controlled possession for long stretches and generated more shots than Lille. These underlying metrics suggest the team can regain its dominant level once it finds its rhythm. However, with just two points from two matches and four goals conceded, the reality is stark. Ligue 1 could benefit from this more open competition, as Paris Saint-Germain is not dominating as usual from the season's start.
What is the impact of absences and fitness?
Several key attackers, including Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé, appear out of form after a long summer and a deep World Cup run. This lack of sharpness, combined with the injuries to Barcola, Mbaye, and Neves, affects the squad's depth. The busy schedule, with Champions League football ahead, makes this settling-in period challenging. Viewing the current squad provides a clear picture of the resources available for the coming weeks.
What does this trend mean for the rest of the season?
Relying on late heroics is a risky habit. Opponents may grow bolder, and refereeing or VAR decisions could become more decisive in tight games. The physical toll of Champions League matches will eventually have an impact. If this pattern continues into late September or October, the narrative may shift from 'they always find a way' to 'they only show up when they have to'. Paris Saint-Germain remain the clear favorites to win the league, but these early performances raise questions. The team won a second consecutive UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa (2-1) but lost the Trophée des Champions to Lens. The reigning champions have therefore started the season treating Ligue 1 as an afterthought. The current standings, visible on our standings page, show that the margin for error is already slim.
