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Was Kylian Mbappe The Reason PSG Failed In Europe?
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Was Kylian Mbappe The Reason PSG Failed In Europe?

Was Kylian Mbappe The Reason PSG Failed In Europe?

This season, Paris Saint-Germain have been breathtaking in the Champions League, surprising many. The French club have knocked out top-quality opposition in Liverpool and Arsenal, while also seeing off Aston Villa and Brest in the knockout phase of the competition.

When Kylian Mbappé left for Real Madrid, many wondered how PSG would recover and rebuild in the absence of their star player. The answer so far has been incredibly promising.

PSG have claimed their 13th Ligue 1 title this year, doing so comfortably. With one game left to play, they sit 19 points ahead of second-place Marseille. They also have another cup final to play, facing Monaco in the Coupe de France on May 24th.

If the French side can add the Champions League to their list of silverware this season, it will go down as one of the best campaigns in the club's history.

PSG Now Look Like A Team - Not Individuals

With Mbappé’s departure to Real Madrid, there were concerns about how the club would replace their main attacking threat and whether others in the squad would step up.

A combination of Ousmane Dembélé, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola, Désiré Doué and Gonçalo Ramos have been at Luis Enrique’s disposal this season, and in the Champions League, they’ve caused chaos.

Throughout the campaign, PSG have had 12 different goalscorers, sharing the pressure and responsibility that was heavily reliant on Mbappé in previous seasons.

Ousmane Dembélé has led the charge in terms of goal contributions, scoring 8 goals on the way to the final while also providing 4 assists.

Notably, two of PSG's top scorers in the competition have been their fullbacks—Achraf Hakimi (3 goals) and Nuno Mendes (4 goals)—highlighting just how much of a team effort this campaign has been.

While Dembélé is likely to take most of the plaudits for his goal contributions, the success has truly come down to a collective effort, with players from all over the pitch chipping in with crucial goals.

What Has Changed?

PSG’s style has notably evolved since Mbappé’s departure in 2024. Under manager Luis Enrique, the team has transitioned from a star-centric approach to a more cohesive, collective system, emphasising fluidity, versatility, and teamwork.

Previously, PSG’s play was heavily reliant on Mbappé’s individual brilliance, with many attacks channeled through him. Post-Mbappé, Enrique has implemented a system where the front three—often made up of Dembélé, Barcola, and Kvaratskhelia—rotate positions seamlessly. This fluidity disrupts defensive setups and creates a more unpredictable attacking threat.

The midfield trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and Fabián Ruiz has become instrumental in controlling possession and dictating the game's tempo. Their ability to interchange roles and maintain high passing accuracy has strengthened PSG’s midfield dominance. Defensively, the team now has greater organisation and commitment, with players collectively contributing to defensive duties, reducing vulnerabilities that previously existed when the focus was predominantly on attacking through Mbappé.

The departure of high-profile stars like Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi has paved the way for a more unified squad. Players now share responsibilities more evenly, leading to a balanced team dynamic. This shift has not only improved on-field performance but also fostered a positive atmosphere within the dressing room, with less emphasis on keeping high-profile names happy.

Conclusion

It's hard to say whether you can solely attribute PSG’s past failures in Europe to Mbappé. However, one thing is clear: in his absence, PSG have become a much more cohesive team.

Ultimately, it’s a manager’s job to get the best out of his group of players and find a system that allows the players to flourish. However, this isn’t always as straightforward as it may sound when you have one of the best players in the world to keep happy.

But it’s clear to see just how much better PSG have looked without Mbappé being the focus. Should they go on to win the Champions League, I think the shift to a more team-focused setup has certainly gone a long way toward improving the club's chances.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Callum Gill

Writer

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