PSG must resume its march forward on Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League play-offs in Monaco to sweep away doubts in its quest for a continental double. At the same stage last season, the reigning European champion had largely dominated another representative of Ligue 1, Brest, to reach the final phase of the European competition.

Published on: 02/17/2026 - 10:40 Modified on: 02/17/2026 - 12:03

To display this YouTube content, it is necessary to authorize audience measurement and advertising cookies.

An extension in your browser appears to be blocking the loading of the video player. To be able to watch this content, you must disable or uninstall it.

Round 1 of the Franco-French duel in the Champions League play-offs. PSG, reigning European champion, must resume its march forward, Tuesday February 17 at 9 p.m., in Monaco to sweep away doubts in its quest for a European double.

Last year at the same time, the Champions League play-offs against Brest (3-0 first leg, 7-0 return) confirmed that the Parisians had shifted to another dimension, mercilessly and with formidable efficiency.

With almost the same team as at that time - without Fabian Ruiz missing on Tuesday (knee) - PSG arrives in the Principality with more doubts than in Brittany last year, because Luis Enrique's players are more irregular and remain with a surprise but logical defeat in Rennes (3-1) in Ligue 1. This irregularity, denied by Luis Enrique, has also created a slight tension in the Parisian locker room.

See alsoChampions League: PSG favorite against Monaco in the first leg

“Play for the club instead of thinking about yourself”

“We are in the second part of the season, and it is PSG which must be first, not the individuals. We must play for the club instead of thinking about ourselves,” said Ousmane Dembélé, without targeting a teammate in particular but all sectors of the game on Friday evening, according to two sources close to the locker room.

To display this X content (Twitter), it is necessary to authorize audience measurement and advertising cookies.

“Everyone wants to score, we talked about it often, there are times when you have to give the ball to the player who is best placed, that's what took us far last year,” insisted midfielder Vitinha, another Parisian executive.

These statements describing a slight tension were immediately moderated by Luis Enrique and the club. Asked again on Monday on the subject, the coach did not respond: “around PSG, there is always noise and we have to accept it,” he simply commented.

“When we have something to say to certain players, we say it to their faces. At the moment, everything is going well, everyone is ready and mobilized,” Joao Neves assured the press on Monday.

But it is clear that there are glaring gaps and bad choices in the Parisian game, which has been up and down this season, oscillating between demonstrations against OM (5-0) and three defeats already in 2026 in Rennes (3-1), against the PFC (1-0) in the Coupe de France and in Lisbon against Benfica in the Champions League (2-1), i.e. six losses this season.

Marquinhos' teammates are less impressive and no longer scare their opponents as much, leading to fears of a less brilliant spring than that of 2025. Knowing that what is complicated for the capital's players is to "continue to remain unpredictable", according to the coach.

“They will defend their title”

In Monaco, Luis Enrique therefore remobilized his troops to move forward and avoid falling into the trap of the Monegasques, who have been doing better for a month.

“I certainly expect them to look different against us. (Tuesday) they will defend their title. They have a responsibility in relation to that,” fears Sébastien Pocognoli.

With or without Maghnes Akliouche and Lamine Camara, uncertain, the Rocher players therefore have a card to play and remain on a victory at the Louis II stadium against the Parisians in November (1-0).

Without ideas and missing out on their match in Rennes on Friday, the executives of the Parisian group will have to take their responsibilities to play together and at their best level in Monaco, despite the fatigue linked to an interminable last season and injuries.

Tuesday, to look forward to a brilliant spring, the idea will therefore be to build on the success against OM to regain offensive confidence, fluidity in the game and effective and collective pressing, as publicly requested by Ousmane Dembélé, who seemed to feel discomfort in his calf at the start of the training session open to the press.

To the point of being uncertain Tuesday evening? Questioned by AFP, a source close to the locker room indicated that he was very fit.

With AFP

Keywords associated with the article

The content you are trying to access does not exist or is no longer available.