Can PSG's fragile defence withstand the pressure of the Champions League?

[p]This hasn’t happened since 2005: [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]Paris Saint-Germain[/a] have conceded two goals in each of their three official Ligue 1 matches. The reason? Defensive frailty, caused by returning to action after a long 2025/26 season, and a lack of performance both on the flanks and in the middle.[/p][p]In addition, less effective than last year, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/safonov-matvey/zJF3W9Rq/"]Matvei Safonov[/a] could soon see his place in the team questioned. This creates uncertainty ahead of the first European fixture of the season.[/p][h2]Hakimi in the spotlight and an uncertain left side[/h2][p]The first negative in PSG’s return to competition is the form of Achraf Hakimi. Where his explosiveness on the right flank helped win matches over the past two seasons, this time it’s putting others at risk.[/p][p]In poor form, the Moroccan has failed to offer good attacking options or defend well enough to stop other teams from scoring. His impact on the team is diminished, and it’s definitely being felt.[/p][p]With very average ratings in the last two matches according to Flashscore Ratings (5.9/10 against Monaco, 6.9 against Lille), he’s clearly not at his best. His situation - including his trial for rape and his return from injury last May - hasn’t helped. This also weakens Luis Enrique’s side.[/p][image alt="Hakimi recent performance" id="8a25c0e8-df75-4ff3-89aa-e2da06eb6398" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="105e82a5-336f-4be0-9b93-452757fea02f" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Moreover, there’s a big question mark on the other side of the pitch. PSG signed Lucas Digne this summer to cover for the absence of Nuno Mendes.[/p][p]But his coach didn’t even select him for the last Ligue 1 match, and he doesn’t seem to be part of the plans yet. Warren Zaire-Emery was even preferred over his national teammate.[/p][p]Several players could fill the position, but the lack of consistency in that role isn’t helping the team’s development. Nothing is settled yet, and this could seriously harm the reigning European champions, no matter who they face on the pitch. [/p][h2]A central defence lacking solidity[/h2][p]There’s a clear issue of fragility in central defence. Marquinhos didn’t play every match last season, and although he scored in the last two weekends, questions remain about his ability to perform at a high level throughout the season.[/p][p]Still, he remains the most reliable player thanks to his leadership and decision-making. That’s not really the case for his teammates in the same position.[/p][p]Willian Pacho, Illia Zabarnyi, and Lucas Hernandez are three players lacking rhythm, and it shows when they’re on the pitch. While the Ecuadorian won 13 duels against Monaco, he was statistically among the worst PSG players against Lille.[/p][image alt="PSG's start to the season" id="1fde3615-a7f2-41c3-80ed-4c14ff0ae043" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="ffaf884a-6092-42aa-a65b-f067912326c8" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]Not robust enough at the moment, he doesn’t guarantee the best for the Parisians. The same goes for Zabarnyi. Clearly, his coach doesn’t see him as the solution either.[/p][p]Finally, there’s the case of Hernandez[b].[/b] A good substitute, he tries his best every time he comes on. But the Frenchman is far from his best form. He appears as a backup after a tough match and can’t take on a key role either. [/p][h2]Goalkeeping change?[/h2][p]And when things go wrong at the back, the goalkeeper suffers. Safonov missed the start of the season for PSG. After a good season last year, the Russian is struggling to find his form. He was largely at fault against Monaco and showed clear weaknesses, especially on his left post.[/p][p]Against Lille and Rennes, he also failed to make a difference and, inevitably, let the team down (9 shots on target, 6 goals conceded). [/p][embed guid="31e3f4fd-f3dd-4ca6-a3b6-c3b99c7495f8" url="https://x.com/ligue1plus/status/2095975162503983306" social-type="twitter" /][p]This suggests that the door isn’t completely closed for Lucas Chevalier to return. If Safonov can’t bounce back, the Frenchman could emerge and seize his chance. With the goalkeeper hierarchy not set in stone at PSG[b],[/b] the next matches will be particularly interesting.[/p][p]Safonov therefore needs to step up against Bratislava[b].[/b] Another failure could speed things up and put his place at risk. [/p][p][b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/psg-CjhkPw0k/slovan-bratislava-QRaWdwQf/?mid=vRfGDXa4"]Follow PSG vs Slovan Bratislava with Flashscore[/a][/b][/p]