French champions fall to Strasbourg after making 10 changes with Champions League focus in mind
As Paris Saint-Germain gear up for one of the biggest matches of their season—a Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal—head coach Luis Enrique took a bold risk in domestic competition. The result? Another Ligue 1 defeat, this time a 2-1 loss away to Strasbourg. But if you were expecting panic in the PSG camp, think again.
For Enrique, who made 10 changes to the side that edged Arsenal 1-0 in the midweek European tie, this game was never about the result. It was about rhythm, rest, and rotation. And if anything, it offered a glimpse into the Spaniard’s unwavering focus on continental success over domestic dominance.
A Radical Line-Up for a Strategic Gamble
With only João Neves retaining his place from the starting XI that beat Arsenal, PSG’s team sheet looked more like a cup rotation than a league fixture. Out went Gianluigi Donnarumma, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos and more, while several fringe and youth players were given a rare chance to shine.
The gamble was clear. PSG, who are already cruising toward another Ligue 1 title, could afford a stumble here if it meant keeping key players fresh and protected for Tuesday night’s high-stakes return leg at the Emirates.
But that kind of sweeping overhaul comes with risks. And Strasbourg, battling to secure European qualification of their own, took full advantage.
Strasbourg Capitalise Early
It didn’t take long for the cracks in PSG’s makeshift side to show. After just 20 minutes, it was Lucas Hernandez—one of the few experienced heads included—who inadvertently handed Strasbourg the lead with an own goal that stunned the visitors.
Just before half-time, Strasbourg doubled their advantage through young forward Félix Lemarechal, whose cool finish capped off a high-energy first 45 minutes from the hosts. The Parc des Princes outfit looked flat, and the lack of cohesion among the new-look line-up was evident.
At that point, PSG’s minds seemed firmly elsewhere—and who could blame them?
A Response, but Not Enough
To their credit, the French giants came out of the dressing room with intent. Within just a minute of the restart, Bradley Barcola gave PSG hope with a well-taken goal, trimming Strasbourg’s lead and briefly threatening a turnaround.
But the comeback never truly materialised. Despite having opportunities to equalise, including a few half-chances late on, the Ligue 1 leaders couldn’t find a way past a resolute Strasbourg side, who were deserved winners on the night.
This marks PSG’s second consecutive defeat in the league—an unusual slump by their high standards—but you won’t find Enrique losing sleep over it.
Luis Enrique: “I’m Very Satisfied”
After the match, Luis Enrique struck a calm and composed tone. While the headlines screamed “PSG lose again,” the manager was already looking ahead to London.
“I’m very satisfied with my team’s performance and the way they played,” he told reporters. “We were up against a very strong opponent who want to qualify for the Champions League. It’s a young team, we had a very high-level team, four players from the centre, I’m happy with them, they’re young players. It was a very high-level match.”
For Enrique, the result was almost secondary. “All the objectives I had in mind came to fruition, apart from the result,” he added. “It’s ridiculous to go beyond that. We were close to a draw, we had chances.”
His words echoed the mindset of a coach who knows exactly where his priorities lie. Ligue 1 is all but wrapped up. The real prize—the one that has eluded PSG for so long—is the Champions League trophy.
Eyes on Arsenal
That mission resumes on Tuesday night, where PSG take a narrow 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their semi-final against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. It’s a delicate scoreline, but one that Enrique clearly believes is worth protecting—even at the cost of domestic form.
The decision to rest key players like Donnarumma, Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia signals that PSG are all-in on Europe this year. And for a club that has been defined as much by its Champions League shortcomings as its domestic dominance, it’s a logical approach.
The tie is finely balanced. Arsenal, who have been excellent at home all season, will back themselves to turn the deficit around. But PSG, bolstered by fresher legs and a week of carefully planned preparation, will be confident they can finish the job and return to a final that has evaded them since 2020.
The Bigger Picture
While fans may raise eyebrows at back-to-back league defeats, PSG’s long-term outlook remains strong. A league title is still firmly in hand. The club’s youth players are gaining valuable minutes. And the focus is exactly where it should be—on making history in Europe.
Strasbourg may have claimed the bragging rights this weekend, but PSG’s battle lies elsewhere. For Enrique and his players, all roads lead to North London.
And should they emerge from the Emirates with a place in the final, few will remember the minor detour taken in Strasbourg.
