PSG 4-0 Atalanta: 3 Key takeaways from their dominant Champions League opener

PSG delivered an oustanding performance to dominate Italian side Atalanta 4-0 at the Parc des Princes as they perfectly started their 2025-2026 Champions League campaign. Goals from Marquinhos, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes and Gonçalo Ramos led Paris to victory as they now prepare to face Marseille in Le Classique over the weekend.

3 main talking points as PSG cruised past Atalanta in Champions League

1. Statement win

After an historical 2024-2025 campaign, ended in European triumph, Paris Saint-Germain return as reigning Champions, ready to defend their crown. However, Les Parisiens had to do without Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, two of their key players from last season.

Nonetheless, Luis Enrique and his team delivered an astonishing performance at home against Atalanta to start their title defence. The European Champions showcased in this game the same top-level that made them one of the most feared side in Europe. With a difficult calendar ahead of them in the competition, Les Rouges et Bleus will need to reiterate this kind of performances if they are to retain their crown.

2. Gonçalo Ramos, perfect super-sub

With Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué injured for many weeks, Gonçalo Ramos was set to become an important player of this team during their absences. Which is why it was a surprise to see the Portuguese striker start PSG's first Champions League game of the season on the bench with Senny Mayulu starting as a false number nine next to Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in Paris' front three.

However, the former Benfica player came off the bench once again and proved himself decisive when he scored PSG's fourth goal of the night, capping off a remarkable performance of his side. While the 24-year-old struggled to impact the game as a starter, he has always delivered when coming off the bench as he scored his 16th goal off the bench for Paris Saint-Germain, a record for the club.

3. Lucas Chevalier is a perfect fit for Luis Enrique's system

Many fans and observers were shocked when Luis Enrique decided to push Gianluigi Donnarumma out of the club to sign Lucas Chevalier from Lille this summer. The Italian goalkeeper had just come off his best season with the club and played a massive part in their historical treble-winning season.

However, the Spaniard coach was looking for a ball playing goalkeeper, able to fit his playstyle perfectly, and while Donnarumma made massive improvement in this department he was still far from the level of the best keepers in this domain.

Last night, Lucas Chevalier who was already decisive on his line since the start of the season, he was able to showcase against Atalanta how great he was with the ball, behind at the start of many opportunities created by his side. Additionally, he was able to break Atalanta's press many times throughout the game, offering possibilities to break lines to his teammates.

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