Paris Saint-Germain made a statement in their first fixture of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League group stage, demolishing Atalanta 4-0 at the Parc des Princes to kick off their title defence in style. From the opening whistle, PSG looked sharp, confident and co-ordinated, leaving little doubt about their intentions early on.
The floodgate opened inside three minutes when Marquinhos, the team’s captain and defensive lynchpin, pressed high, intercepted a loose ball, linked up with Fabián Ruiz and then slotted home past goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi. It was a goal that not only shook Atalanta’s plans but also set the tempo for PSG’s evening.
Throughout the first half, PSG dominated possession, pressed vigorously, and repeatedly exposed gaps in Atalanta’s backline, their movement and off-ball runs giving the Serie A side few moments of respite.
As the game settled, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck six minutes before the break, lashing a powerful shot beyond Carnesecchi to double the lead. The Georgian winger’s goal came after PSG intensified their pressure, forcing turnovers and pushing their full backs high to overload the flanks.
Just before halftime, however, PSG were awarded a penalty when Atalanta’s defence faltered once more, only for Bradley Barcola to squander the chance—his weak effort was comfortably saved. The miss turned out to be merely a footnote in what was otherwise a deeply one-sided half.
Well-deserved! The @ChampionsLeague 25-26 starts perfectly! ❤️#PSGATA 4️⃣-0️⃣ I #UCL pic.twitter.com/59bqIKDjBD
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) September 17, 2025
When the second half began, PSG showed no sign of letting up. The third goal came early after the break when Barcola, making amends, sent in a sweeping pass down the left wing to Nuno Mendes.
Displaying both flair and composure, Mendes fooled his marker with a feint, cut inside, and then curled the ball between keeper and post in a finish as cheeky as the run that built it. It was now 3-0 and the momentum firmly with the home side.
Despite the growing margin, Atalanta made some attempts to threaten on the break, and pressed for set-piece opportunities, but PSG’s defensive discipline and midfield control never let their opponents establish consistent pressure. Lucas Chevalier, in goal for PSG, had relatively little to do but remained alert to every potential danger.
In stoppage time, Gonçalo Ramos came off the bench to seal the emphatic win with a delicate chip over Carnesecchi after a lapse in Atalanta’s defence. It capped an evening in which PSG’s class and depth were on full display—from the experienced leadership of Marquinhos to the youthful verve of Barcola and Kvaratskhelia.
Luis Enrique, still recovering from a cycling accident that left him with a broken collarbone, watched the first half from the stands, employing an elevated vantage point that he says helps him to assess the game more comprehensively. He returned to the touchline for the second half. He praised his squad’s readiness and by all counts, they delivered.
The victory carries extra significance given the absences PSG had to contend with: Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué are both sidelined with injuries. While these were initially seen as potential weak spots in their title defence, the performance against Atalanta made it clear that PSG have more than enough in their roster.
From a tactical perspective, PSG’s high press was central. Atalanta, under Ivan Jurić, are known for trying to build from the back and using vertical transitions, yet they were never allowed to settle. PSG’s midfielders and front line pressed aggressively, forcing errors, winning the ball high up, and quickly converting those turnovers into attacking opportunities.
The full backs were active—Mendes especially—providing width, cutting inside and offering scoring threats. The balance between defensive solidity and attacking flexibility was on point.
Barcola’s penalty miss could have been a stumbling block psychologically, but instead seemed to galvanise the team. When Mendes delivered the third goal not long after halftime, the confidence visibly surged.
By the time Ramos added the fourth, PSG’s dominance was no longer in question. Atalanta’s hopes of clawing something back were undermined by fatigue and the gulf in quality that PSG managed to expose.
Despite the clean sheet, PSG did not look invulnerable. Joao Neves limped off with a knock, adding to their injury concerns. Enrique will have to manage his squad carefully, especially as their fixture list is stacked. Upcoming matches include trips to Barcelona and home games against tough opposition, so sustaining this level over several competitions will be a challenge.