Luis Enrique acknowledged the struggles of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) after they narrowly defeated newly-promoted Le Mans 3-1, indicating it was “typical” for the team to rely heavily on their star players despite a summer investment exceeding €150m.

The match highlighted PSG's ongoing reliance on their A team, as key players like Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes were rested, revealing the club's primary focus on the Champions League rather than Ligue 1. Notably, Dembélé, who was controversially awarded the player of the season last year, only started 12 league matches last season.

In this encounter, PSG showcased a mix of their new signings and less experienced players:

• Mika Godts, Maghnes Akliouche, and Ferran Torres all started, costing a combined €150m.
• Other players like Dro Fernández, Lucas Beraldo, and Lucas Digne were given opportunities.

Despite a promising start with Beraldo scoring from the penalty spot, Louis Mafouta equalized for Le Mans, showcasing the vulnerabilities in PSG’s defense. PSG eventually secured the victory with goals from Kvaratskhelia and Akliouche, yet the overall performance left much to be desired.

The club’s summer strategy raised eyebrows as the new signings seemed to be more about squad rotation rather than challenging the starting lineup. With Bradley Barcola's departure to Liverpool, the pressure mounts on players like Godts and Akliouche to perform consistently, especially with a crucial Champions League match against Manchester City approaching.

While PSG has won their last three league games, the lack of convincing performances raises questions about their depth and readiness for the challenges ahead. As they prepare for their next European campaign, the need for their new signings to step up becomes increasingly urgent.