PSG resting stars in Ligue 1 despite summer spending spree

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 08:08 · Archive

PSG defeated Le Mans 3-1 on Saturday with several key players rested for squad management.

Paris Saint-Germain beat newly-promoted Le Mans 3-1 on Saturday, extending their winning run to three consecutive Ligue 1 victories. However, Luis Enrique's side required four substitutions around the hour mark to see off the visitors, a situation the manager described as 'typical'.

Despite spending more than €150m in the summer, the new arrivals appear designed to facilitate rest rather than challenge the hierarchy. Players such as Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes were rested on Saturday. Ferran Torres, Mika Godts and Maghnes Akliouche, who together cost €150m, all started.

PSG are sixth in Ligue 1 with three wins, two draws and one defeat after the international break, but there is no panic in Paris. Luis Enrique's focus lies elsewhere: the club aims to win the Champions League for a third consecutive season and have succeeded in rearranging league games to support that campaign. Dembélé started only 12 Ligue 1 matches last season yet won the player of the season award, illustrating how little the domestic league matters to PSG's ambitions.

How it is being reported

• The star is Luis Enrique - inside the plans to keep PSG at the topAs Luis Enrique bids to guide PSG to a third successive Champions League triumph, Guillem Balague looks at how the coach keeps his side at the top.BBC News · 13 Oct, 07:34
• PSG invested heavily in the summer but are still relying on the A teamLuis Enrique wants to rest his stars for the Champions League but they keep having to dig out the team in Ligue 1 By Get French Football News Luis Enrique said it was “typical” that Paris Saint-Germain only managed to see off newly-promoted Le Mans after his four changes around the hour mark. But it is also worrying and borderline damning. Ligue 1 has felt like a side quest for PSG in recent years. Not only have the club succeeded in rearranging league games to aid their Champions League campaign , but their stars rarely feature in the domestic league. Ousmane Dembélé started just 12 Ligue 1…Guardian Football · 12 Oct, 14:48

In this story: Paris Saint-Germain · Luis Enrique · Le Mans · Ousmane Dembélé · Ferran Torres · Ligue 1 · Champions League · France

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