PSG begin Champions League with dominant 4-0 victory over Atalanta

Paris Saint-Germain is opening their 2025-2026 Champions League campaign as the title holder against Atalanta at the Parc des Princes. For this game, Luis Enrique and his team will have to do without several important players such as Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué following their injuries.

Over the weekend, Les Parisiens took down Lens 2-0 at home thanks to Bradley Barcola's brace as he put in a top-level performance to lead his side to victory. However, Lucas Beraldo suffered an ankle injury and added his name onto the injury list. Meanwhile, Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and South Korea international Kang-In Lee suffered from knocks, casting doubts on their participations to PSG's UCL opener. Nonetheless, both players are featuring in PSG's group for this game.

For this game, Luis Enrique decided to use his usual lineup with the back four composed of Hakimi, Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos and Pacho in front of Chevalier. Meanwhile, Senny Mayulu is set to start at the number nine position whith Gonçalo Ramos starting on the bench. Additionally, Kvaratskhelia starts following his injury scare against Lens over the weekend.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Chevalier; Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes , Hakimi; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Bradley Barcola, Mayulu, Kvaratskhelia.

Atalanta's starting XI: Carnesecchi; Hien, Kossounou, Djimsiti; Bellanova, Musah, De Roon, Bernasconi; Pasalic; Maldini, De Ketelaere.

PSG cruised to victory against Atalanta

Paris Saint-Germain perfectly opened their Champions League campaign with a dominant 4-0 victory against Atalanta at the Parc des Princes. Luis Enrique's men left no chance to their opponents, as they look to retain their European crown.

Inside the first two minutes of the contest, Paris' high press paid off as Marquinhos put the ball in the back of the net following Fabian Ruiz's cross. Less than two minutes later, Nuno Mendes found himself in front of Carnesecchi but his effort was just wide of the post.

After 15 minutes, Paris was in complete control of the game, and created numerous clear cut chances to increase their lead, however, their were ultimately denied by Carnesecchi. Furthermore, their impressive high press was successful in cutting off any chance of a fastbreak for the visitors.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made it 2-0 for the hosts just before halftime after a fantastic solo goal, his long range strike left no Carnesecchi powerless (39'). After a foul on Marquinho in the box, Bradley Barcola had the chance to increase Paris' lead from the spot, but his effort was easily saved by Atalanta's goalkeeper (42').

Nuno Mendes scored Paris' third goal on the night after a remarkable move on the left wing and beat Carnesecchi on his near post (51'). After scoring four goals in PSG's victorious 2024-2025 campaign, the Portuguese started perfectly their title defence.

The intensity of the game understandably dropped after the first substitutions operated on both sides as Luis Enrique's men cruised to their first win of the campaign. Nonetheless, Gonçalo Ramos made it 4-0 after a mistake from Atalanta's defence in the dying embers of the game (90+1').

Up next, the reigning European Champions will face Olympique de Marseille at the Stade Vélodrome on Sunday in Le Classique.

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