Luis Enrique anticipates a more competitive Ligue 1 title race for PSG in the 2025-26 season, despite their dominant performance last year. PSG is set to kick off their campaign against Nantes, with key players like Ousmane Dembele to watch. While PSG is favored to win, Enrique emphasizes the team’s focus on collective success. The team is looking to continue its history-making run in both domestic and Champions League competitions.
Despite Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) dominant performance in the previous season, head coach Luis Enrique anticipates a fiercely contested Ligue 1 title race for the 2025-26 campaign. PSG had an impressive run in the last season, securing the league title with six games to spare, and finishing a remarkable 19 points ahead of their closest rival, Marseille. This feat was achieved even after winning only two of their final five matches, highlighting their commanding lead.
The club's success wasn't limited to the league; they also clinched a domestic league and cup double, solidifying their dominance in French football. To cap it all off, PSG secured their first-ever Champions League title, triumphing over Inter with a resounding 5-0 victory in the final. These achievements set a high bar for the upcoming season, but Luis Enrique remains cautious about expecting a similar runaway victory.
In a minor setback, PSG faced Chelsea in the Club World Cup final and were defeated 3-0. However, the team quickly bounced back, demonstrating their resilience by winning the Super Cup against Tottenham in a penalty shootout after trailing 2-0. This victory added another trophy to their cabinet and boosted their confidence heading into the new season.
PSG is scheduled to kick off their 2025-26 Ligue 1 campaign with an away game against Nantes. Nantes, who finished 13th in the previous season, narrowly avoided relegation, staying just three points above the drop zone. While PSG is considered the overwhelming favorite to win the title again, with Opta's supercomputer giving them a 78.1% chance of retaining it, Luis Enrique believes the reality on the pitch will be more challenging.
"Last year the championship was like this because we were at a very good level," Luis Enrique stated, acknowledging the exceptional performance of his team. "This is not 'normal'. For this season, I can't know what will happen. But we want this Championship. It will be close. For us it was difficult [last year]. We're happy to start.
He further emphasized the club's ambitions, stating, "To continue to make history was the first goal of the first day when I arrived. At the moment, we're doing it but it's very difficult to see a team win the Champions League twice." "That's our goal. We are very ambitious. We know it's going to be difficult, but it's normal to have that mentality. It will depend on us, on our level. It's a very fun goal." Luis Enrique's comments highlight the team's determination to continue their success while acknowledging the competitive nature of European football.
PSG's impressive 2024-25 season led to several of their players being nominated for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. Ousmane Dembele, considered one of the frontrunners for the award, had a stellar season, contributing 46 goals (33 goals and 13 assists) across all competitions, excluding the Club World Cup. This remarkable performance underscores his importance to the team's success.
Achraf Hakimi also had a standout season, creating more chances from open play (98) than any other defender in Europe's top five leagues. His attacking prowess from the defense position made him a vital asset for PSG. Hakimi has openly expressed his desire to win the Ballon d'Or, but Luis Enrique insists that the team's focus remains on collective success rather than individual accolades.
Luis Enrique stated, "I know that you journalists like polemics. It's a good attempt. But all the players at PSG remain focused on the most important thing, the club. Our supporters know that. Winning trophies as a team is the main objective. We have to stay focused on that." This statement reiterates the team-first mentality that Luis Enrique is trying to instill within the squad.
Looking ahead to the match against Nantes, there are a couple of players to watch out for. Nantes' Youssef El-Arabi could be making his return to Ligue 1 after a significant gap of 14 years and 80 days since his last appearance in May 2011. This return would equal the largest gap between two matches in the competition since Opta began collecting data in 1947-48.
For PSG, Ousmane Dembele will be a key player to watch. He scored the joint-most goals in Ligue 1 last season, matching Mason Greenwood's total of 21, while also providing six assists. His performance in the Super Cup, where he assisted Goncalo Ramos's stoppage-time header, was crucial in securing the victory. A strong start to the 2025-26 season could further boost his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or.
Considering the recent form and historical data, the match prediction favors a Paris Saint-Germain win. PSG has dominated Nantes in recent encounters, remaining unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 matches. Nantes has not secured a league win against PSG since February 2022. PSG's attacking firepower, having scored 92 goals in Ligue 1 last season, combined with their strong away form, makes them the likely victors. While Nantes has a decent home record, PSG's overall strength and dominance are expected to prevail.