The Japan Times - Could PSG finally be there for the taking in Ligue 1?

PSG have almost totally dominated French football in the years since being taken over by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, winning 11 of the last 13 championships.

Their revenue -- the third-largest in world football last year according to Deloitte's Football Money League at 806 million euros ($947m) -- dwarfs every other club in the country.

But an epic 2024/25 campaign has taken a lot out of Luis Enrique's side.

Crowned by their maiden Champions League triumph, it also featured a domestic treble and a run to the Club World Cup final, but the season lasted 11 months and 65 games.

That has caught up with them, with Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele one of a host of players currently injured.

PSG do not have a huge squad and retaining the European Cup has to be their primary aim. A recent 1-0 defeat in Marseille proved they are not invincible.

The Parisians are presently only above Lyon atop Ligue 1 on goal difference, while Marseille, Monaco and Strasbourg sit within three points.

"It is normal to lose a few matches over the course of a season," insisted Luis Enrique after the defeat in Marseille, and the fact PSG won the title by 19 points last season confirms how big their margin over the rest of the league is.

A different champion would be a much-needed breath of fresh air, but can anyone step up to bridge the gap?

Marseille are best-placed. Roberto De Zerbi's team followed beating PSG with an impressive victory last weekend in Strasbourg and then hammered Ajax in the Champions League.

They have a large squad -- De Zerbi has used 28 players this season, compared to PSG's 22 -- and a fiery coach who is able to harness the heated atmosphere of their Stade Velodrome in the team's favour.

"It is understandable that there should be more expectation on us after we beat Paris. That doesn't bring any pressure or anxiety," De Zerbi said last week.

It remains to be seen, though, if they can maintain the consistency required over the long run to seriously push PSG.

Monaco's flaws are obvious, with a leaky defence and a lack of options in midfield.

Strasbourg are exciting but very young, surely lacking the experience needed for a title challenge.

Then there is Lyon, who have enjoyed a fantastic start, with five wins and five clean sheets in six games.

But financial problems have probably left them with too small a squad to maintain that form for the duration.

Player to watch: Ansu Fati

The Spain winger, 22, joined Monaco on loan with the aim of kick-starting a career which had stalled at Barcelona due to injuries.

Before Lamine Yamal emerged, Fati was seen as Lionel Messi's successor. He made his Barca debut aged 16 and went on to become the youngest goal-scorer in Champions League history and for Spain.

But Fati started just three games for Barcelona last season and clearly needed a change.

The early signs at Monaco are promising, with four goals in three games before he started in Wednesday's 2-2 Champions League draw with Manchester City.

"He is a big name and he wants to be influential at Monaco," said his coach Adi Huetter.

Key stats

60 - De Zerbi has won 60 percent of his Ligue 1 matches with Marseille (24 out of 40).

11 - Monaco have let in 11 goals in their last four games in all competitions heading into the Cote d'Azur derby against Nice.

100 - Vitinha is in line to make his 100th Ligue 1 appearance for PSG since joining the club in 2022.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Paris FC v Lorient (1845)

Saturday

Metz v Marseille (1500), Brest v Nantes (1700), Auxerre v Lens (1905)

Sunday

Lyon v Toulouse (1300), Monaco v Nice, Strasbourg v Angers, Le Havre v Rennes (all 1515), Lille v Paris Saint-Germain (1845)

Y.Hara--JT