Via Rex: A review of the first half of the season

NOVUS

Summer 2023 brought its share of novelties to French football and Paris Saint-Germain. Firstly, a shift to 18 clubs in the top-flight, somewhat reminiscent of the past, yet shaking up a schedule we may have known a little too well. Then, a postponed but not relocated Trophée des Champions, which will now take place at the Parc des Princes on 3 January, between Paris Saint-Germain and Toulouse. And finally, the beginning of a new era, where the club from the capital is now the most decorated in Ligue 1 history, with 11 league titles.

Then there were new arrivals at Paris Saint-Germain. A new coaching staff, new players, a new training centre, in short, a new cycle. Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in July 2023, preceded by an exceptional reputation in the world of football, both as a player and as a coach.

He was followed by several players, who joined to strengthen a solid, successful squad, but one that also needed some fresh elements. Some seasoned, experienced players, who have already won a lot, like Lucas Hernandez, Milan Skriniar, Ousmane Dembélé and Marco Asensio. Some are younger, accomplished, or very promising, such as Arnau Tenas, Manuel Ugarte, Cher Ndour, Lee Kang-In, Gonçalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, and finally Bradley Barcola. New faces that all the Rouge et Bleu fans were eager to see in action.

All of this set against the backdrop of the PSG Campus, a flagship modern facility. A new turning point and a fresh take-off for Paris Saint-Germain.

INITIUM

But Ligue 1 is hard to master. To implement new things, time is needed. And that was the key word for this early part of the season, as the players and the coaching staff worked tirelessly to integrate new systems, primarily based on possession and attacking play.

A goalless draw against Lorient as an opener, followed by another draw against Toulouse a week later (1-1), featuring Kylian Mbappé's first goal of the season— the start to the campaign wasn't necessarily as expected. But then Lens were beaten at the Parc des Princes on Matchday 3. Last year's runner-up stumbled early, and the season got underway.

OLYMPICUS TARIFUS

Always highlights of the season, the matches against Lyon and Marseille didn't disappoint in 2023. Starting with Lyon, a beautiful 4-1 inflicted upon a team still finding its feet before picking up later in the year. Hakimi, Asensio, and Mbappé twice, made the Lyon team buckle, in a similar fashion to the one on show against the other Olympique, 20 days later. Hakimi, once again, with a magical free-kick, and the initial sparks from Ramos and Kolo Muani. A perfect evening.

MAGNUM VIII

After a 0-0 draw against Clermont, an extraordinary series of 8 consecutive victories followed, with a significant number of goals scored. Rennes, Strasbourg, Brest, Montpellier, Reims, Monaco, Le Havre, and Nantes all succumbed to Luis Enrique's side.

A performance perhaps worth highlighting—the exceptional match and victory against Monaco, where the players from the Principality fell badly at the Parc des Princes (5-2). Five different scorers, and a first goal for Ousmane Dembélé, who that night put in an exceptional performance. A standout evening at the Porte d'Auteuil, enabling Les Parisiens to take the lead in Ligue 1 and hold onto it until the mid-season break.

SURSUM

Onwards and upwards! Despite conceding late on to draw with Lille, Paris bounced back by beating Metz 3-1 on the final matchday of the calendar year. This victory allowed Les Parisiens to maintain a 5-point lead in the league table ahead of Nice (the only team to have beaten Paris this season) and a 7-point lead over Monaco, who sit in third at the winter break.

An opening half of the season marked by a period of implementation, assimilation, discovery, and renewal. With plenty of twists and turns, Paris Saint-Germain remain a stronger contender for their own succession, but the season is still long, with an enthralling January ahead. An appetiser with the Trophée des Champions, a starter in the Coupe de France against Revel, a tough main course against Lens as Ligue 1 restarts, and a Paris-Brest for dessert on 28 January. Fluctuat Nec Mergitur!