Seven points behind Monaco, Luis Enrique provokes by betting on PSG's title

Beaten by Monaco on Friday night in Matchday 3 of Ligue 1, Paris Saint-Germain now trails the Monégasque leaders by seven points — their worst start to a league season in nineteen years. Luis Enrique, however, did not seem troubled.

In a press conference on Saturday, the Spanish manager issued a barely veiled challenge: “If you want to bet on who will be French champion at the end of the season, we can bet, but I’m saying nothing. Seven points behind Monaco? That’s motivation. We’re going to try to change that as quickly as possible.” A statement that clashes with the club’s actual sporting situation, double European champions but struggling in Ligue 1.

Former attacking midfielder Matthieu Dossevi reacted on X, pointing out an unusual misstep from the Paris manager. “It doesn’t happen to him often, but a slight communication error that comes to (a little) damage the goodwill capital earned over two years. Confidence yes, but arrogance as a defense is never a marker of strength. Leave that kind of bet for X, you’re supposed to be above that,” he wrote.

PSG now has a packed schedule ahead to turn things around. After their Ligue des Champions opener on Wednesday against Slovan Bratislava, the Paris club will travel to Brest on Sunday, September 13 before hosting Olympique de Marseille a week later — two Ligue 1 fixtures that could quickly clarify Luis Enrique’s team’s real ambitions.