Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is set to kick off its Champions League campaign on Wednesday, September 8, facing Slovan Bratislava. The team has had a difficult start to the Ligue 1 season, failing to win any of its first three matches with two draws and one loss. After a 1-0 defeat to Lens in the Champions Trophy, PSG coach Luis Enrique admitted the results have been "catastrophic" but argued that the team's overall performance has not been poor. He emphasized that the squad is focused on the upcoming European match rather than being discouraged by the early struggles. Slovan Bratislava, coached by Yaya Touré, has not won any of its eight Champions League matches since 2024, but PSG remains the strong favorite in this encounter. A loss or draw for PSG could be seen as a significant setback, especially since the club has historically won its European opener since 2022. This match is considered one of the easiest on their Champions League schedule, offering PSG a chance to reset its European campaign. Enrique has attributed PSG's poor results to bad luck and the unpredictable nature of football. He referenced advanced statistics like Expected Goals (xG), which suggest that PSG has underperformed both offensively and defensively. The team has scored seven goals but has an xG of 8.93, indicating they should have scored more. Conversely, they have conceded nine goals with an xG of 5.86, showing a defensive shortfall. Despite this, PSG has maintained control in matches with over 67% possession and more shots than their opponents. Team captain Marquinhos acknowledged the team's mistakes, stating they have made errors that are not in line with their usual standard. He noted that the most critical part of the season typically comes in January and February and that the team is focused on progressing as far as possible in the Champions League. While the current form is concerning, Marquinhos remains confident in the team's ability to improve. Despite the early struggles, Enrique remains optimistic, having led PSG to the French title in the past three seasons. His previous Champions League opener was a dominant 4-0 win against Atalanta, and he has not shown signs of concern in his public appearances. The coach’s confidence and experience will be crucial as PSG aims to turn its European campaign around.