Paris Saint-Germain are set to host Auxerre this Saturday, navigating a unique blend of joyous celebration and immediate challenges. The Parc des Princes crowd will pay tribute to Ousmane Dembélé, who has been crowned the world’s best player, while the team simultaneously looks to rebound from a recent domestic defeat and prepare for a crucial Champions League trip to Barcelona – a challenge made tougher by the absence of captain Marquinhos.
The French capital has been a city of celebration since the start of the season, with every home game offering an opportunity for shared emotion. From presenting the UEFA Super Cup and welcoming new recruits to bidding farewell to Kimpembe, the atmosphere has been electric. This Saturday night, the focus will be on Dembélé, PSG’s number 10, following his prestigious Ballon d’Or win. This individual accolade, Luis Enrique noted, is a testament to Dembélé’s dedication and the support of his coach and teammates, who helped him reach the pinnacle of his talent. “It’s been a different week with many emotions,” said Enrique. “It’s beautiful to receive individual trophies like Ousmane, the club and myself. The most beautiful thing is to see the reality after the Ballon d’Or, this love and to share together what we achieved last year.” Dembélé has become the ultimate symbol of the 2024-2025 PSG squad, which has swept aside all opposition with style, elegance, and remarkable team spirit.
However, the celebratory mood also masks the need for PSG to quickly refocus after a 1-0 defeat to Olympique Marseille. That loss, which saw PSG lose their Ligue 1 lead – a rare occurrence – largely went unnoticed amid the Ballon d’Or fervour. Little attention was paid to the match’s scheduling, the ‘best coach in the world’s’ questionable tactical choices, or the blunted attack of a Parisian side missing key players.
Regaining momentum and clear tactical vision is paramount as Wednesday’s colossal clash in Barcelona looms. Captain Marquinhos will not make that trip. The defender suffered a quad injury in the final moments of the Marseille game and is not expected to return before the international break (October 6-13). “He felt a small pain on the last play against Marseille,” Luis Enrique clarified. “Nothing serious, but we must not take any risks.” While not severe, his absence in Catalonia is a significant blow, forcing Luis Enrique to once again adapt his lineup.
The club’s injury list remains extensive, sparking recurring questions about the decision not to bolster the squad during the transfer window. Luis Enrique, however, expresses no regrets, suggesting that sometimes it’s wise to “pass” on an opportunity. “Signing a player for PSG isn’t easy. It’s not like simply grocery shopping,” he explained. “At PSG, you have to pay attention to everything – the people, the money. It’s not easy to find the right players.”
The Parisian coach is not one to dwell on the past. His full attention is on the upcoming match against Auxerre, who held PSG to a goalless draw at the Stade de l’Abbé-Deschamps last December. Auxerre coach Christophe Pélissier approaches the game with a sense of serenity, even excitement. “It’s a chance to play in this stadium, against the best team in the world,” the Auxerre coach said. “They won the Champions League and are capable of overwhelming any opponent. For us, this isn’t a league-defining match, so there’s no pressure. It’s a bit like a Cup match. We’ll need to be very united. We won’t revolutionise our approach for this game. We shouldn’t be afraid to play PSG.”
For PSG, the encounter carries a triple objective: secure a victory, avoid further injuries, and connect with their home crowd. These moments of celebration provide an emotional lift that will be crucial throughout what promises to be a particularly challenging and unpredictable season.
