PSG dismantle Atalanta in dominant Champions League opener
Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their Champions League campaign in emphatic fashion, outclassing Atalanta 4-1 at the Parc des Princes in a performance full of intent, control, and clinical execution. It was a masterclass from Luis Enrique’s side, who looked every bit the title holders they aim to become.
From the first whistle, PSG pressed high, suffocated Atalanta’s build-up play, and within minutes got their reward. Surprisingly, it was Marquinhos — the Brazilian centre-back — who opened the scoring, popping up inside the box to finish a sharp attacking move. But with PSG’s fluid system, nothing should come as a surprise: anyone, from anywhere, can become the danger man.
For the next 20 minutes, the hosts bombarded the Italian defence. Eventually, the tempo dipped — but not for long. Enter Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who stunned the home crowd with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box to level the scoreline. It was a rare moment of resistance from the visitors.
Yet it proved to be their last. Atalanta’s brief lifeline was quickly extinguished, and not even a missed penalty from Bradley Barcola could derail PSG’s momentum. In the second half, the Italians attempted to mount a high press of their own — but PSG remained composed, unshaken, and ruthlessly efficient.
Nuno Mendes eventually restored the lead with a moment of individual brilliance — cutting inside and rifling a low shot through a narrow gap between the goalkeeper and the near post. A goal of sheer precision.
Late in the match, Illya Zabarnyi was introduced, though the Ukrainian defender had little to do as Atalanta faded out of the game. In stoppage time, a disastrous backpass from the Italian defence gifted Gonçalo Ramos a chance he wasn’t going to miss — calmly lobbing the keeper to add a fourth and put the final flourish on PSG’s victory.
2025-26 UEFA Champions League
PSG - Atalanta 4:0 (2:0)
Goals: Marquinhos, 3 (1:0); Kvaratskhelia, 39 (2:0); Mendes N., 51 (3:0); Ramos G., 91 (4:0)
PSG: Chevalier L.; Hakimi; Mendes N. (Zabarnyi, 75); Marquinhos; Vitinha F.; Kvaratskhelia (Mbaye, 75); Fabian Ruiz (Zaire-Emery, 55); Mayulu (Lee Kang-in, 55); Pacho; Neves J. P. (Ramos G., 58); Barcola B.
Substitution: Zaire-Emery (from 55); Lee Kang-in (from 55); Ramos G. (from 58); Zabarnyi (from 75); Mbaye (from 75)
Bench: Safonov M.; Marin R.; Lucas Hernandez
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Hien; Djimsiti (Scalvini, 75; Ahanor, 85); Kossounou; Bellanova; Bernasconi; Musah Y. (Brescianini, 75); Pasalic Mario; de Roon; De Ketelaere (Samardzic L., 46); Maldini D. (Krstovic, 46)
Substitution: Samardzic L. (from 46); Krstovic (from 46); Scalvini (from 75 till 85); Brescianini (from 75); Ahanor (from 85)
Bench: Rossi F.; Sportiello; Obrić; Zappacosta; Sulemana К.; Zalewski; Camara H.
Yellow Cards: Musah Y. 43
