Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has undergone a remarkable transformation in the year following Kylian Mbappe’s departure. On May 25 last year, Mbappe bid farewell to PSG after a French Cup final victory against Lyon, ending his stint with 44 goals and 10 assists in 48 matches. While his exit initially seemed like a blow, the club’s evolution under Luis Enrique has proven otherwise.
When news surfaced in early 2024 that Mbappe would finally join Real Madrid, PSG coach Luis Enrique remained optimistic. “If everything goes well, I’m convinced we’ll have a much better team,” he said at the time. Fast forward to today, and his vision is nearly fulfilled—with a domestic treble and a place in the Champions League final.
The exit of Mbappe marked the end of PSG’s “bling bling” era, a term used by club president Nasser al-Khelaifi to describe the team’s reliance on flashy superstars like Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe, who were known more for their attacking prowess than defensive work. With Mbappe gone, Enrique had the freedom to instill a new footballing philosophy centered on teamwork, discipline, and tactical organization.
A notable moment that symbolized this shift occurred when Enrique attempted to instruct Mbappe on pressing during a match against Barcelona. Though PSG advanced on aggregate, their campaign ended with a semifinal exit to Borussia Dortmund. That season, Mbappe had racked up more goals than defensive contributions—a pattern PSG could no longer afford.
Enrique’s rebuild began with the departures of Neymar and Messi. Real Madrid paid £128 million to secure Mbappe’s signature, and PSG turned to new talent. Only Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe remain from the squad that reached the 2020 Champions League final. Half of the starting XI from Enrique’s first European night—against Borussia Dortmund in September 2023—have moved on.
One of Enrique’s boldest moves was repositioning Ousmane Dembele from winger to false nine. The results were dramatic. Known for wastefulness in front of goal, Dembele had scored only 28 goals in five seasons. Under Enrique, he netted 33 in one term. “He is always where he needs to be,” Enrique remarked. Montpellier coach Jean-Louis Gasset even called the change the “idea of the century.”
Though PSG’s Champions League campaign started slowly—with just one win in their first five games—an extended group stage allowed them to rally. A 4-2 comeback victory over Manchester City demonstrated their newfound tactical identity: effective pressing, solid possession play, and coordinated defensive efforts. PSG would go on to eliminate three more Premier League teams en route to the final.
The turning point has been PSG’s work ethic without the ball. January signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was praised not only for his offensive threat but for his tireless defensive work. According to The Athletic, PSG now average five more tackles per game than in 2022–23. Enrique attributes this to a mentality shift: “This is one of the hardest concepts to instil—getting attackers to buy into defensive duties.”
With quick wingers, dynamic fullbacks, a balanced midfield, and Fabián Ruiz offering a valuable left-footed option, PSG now play as a compact and fluid unit. Their ability to dominate opponents without relying on individual brilliance was evident in their disciplined win over Arsenal.
It took time—nearly the whole group stage—for Enrique to settle on his preferred lineup. But now, heading into the final, PSG looks like a completely transformed team. No longer dependent on one superstar, they are stronger, more united, and perhaps, more ready than ever to lift their first Champions League trophy.
