PSG target Champions League threepeat after historic back-to-back wins
Squad strength and young talent position Paris club for continued European dominance
Manchester, England: Paris Saint-Germain are setting their sights on a Champions League threepeat after securing back-to-back titles, underlining their dominance in European football.
After defeating Arsenal 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Saturday’s final in Budapest, PSG have shown no signs of relinquishing their grip on Europe’s top competition.
“Of course we’re going to go to the market,” president Nasser Al-Khelaifi told TNT Sports, signalling further investment in the squad.
Under head coach Luis Enrique, PSG have built a young and dynamic team, with an average starting age of 25.8 years in the final. Ten of the starting XI had also featured in the previous year’s title-winning side.
Midfielder Vitinha said the team’s success has only increased its ambition. “You always want to win again. Never give up. Never stop,” he said.
Luis Enrique has demonstrated a ruthless approach, including replacing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma with Matvey Safonov last season. Younger players such as Warren Zaire-Emery are also expected to take on larger roles.
Despite their dominance, PSG may still look to strengthen certain areas, including finding long-term replacements for ageing players and adding depth to the squad.
“You do not need a lot of players because it is very difficult to find the right players,” Luis Enrique said. “We already have a great squad.”
PSG’s high-intensity style and attacking approach have drawn comparisons with some of Europe’s greatest teams, combining possession play with direct, risk-taking football.
The squad’s youth profile includes players such as Désiré Doué, João Neves and Nuno Mendes, all of whom have already achieved major success at an early stage in their careers.
However, the demands of a congested fixture schedule remain a challenge. PSG reached 56 matches this season following a 65-game campaign the previous year, raising concerns about player fatigue.
Keeping hold of Luis Enrique may prove crucial to sustaining success, as the coach has joined an elite group by winning three European Cups.
Al-Khelaifi praised him as “the best coach in the world”, highlighting his importance to PSG’s continued ambitions at the top of European football.