Can PSG win the Champions League again?

In this episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, host Ayo Akinwole and analysts Tom Williams and Karl Anker examine Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) current struggles ahead of their Champions League match against Chelsea. After dominating the previous season, including winning the Champions League, PSG finds itself underperforming in both Ligue 1 and European competition. Following a defeat to Monaco, PSG's form has come into question, leading to discussions about the potential onset of a crisis for the team.

Key points discussed include the lingering effects of injuries to star players like Ousmane Dembélé and the goalkeeper change from Gianluigi Donnarumma to Luka Chevalier. The hosts also analyze the team's inability to play the high-intensity, effective style that characterized their success last season and how the competition in Ligue 1, particularly from teams like Lens and Monaco, is becoming more formidable. They express cautious optimism about PSG's ability to rebound in the Champions League but emphasize the need for improved performance to defend their title. The episode concludes with reflections on the prospects for PSG's rivals in Ligue 1 and their chances of dethroning the dominant club.