Since taking charge in 2023, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has promoted positional versatility as a tactical principle. But with the squad increasingly depleted by injuries, flexibility has shifted from being a preference to an absolute necessity.
The latest setback came on Wednesday, when Joao Neves suffered a thigh injury during PSG’s 4-0 Champions League victory over Atalanta. The 19-year-old midfielder joined a growing list of absentees that already included Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué and Lucas Beraldo, leaving just 19 players available for selection.
Luis Enrique was forced to start teenager Senny Mayulu in attack against the Italians, underlining the lack of depth in key areas. Speaking afterwards, he confirmed Neves would undergo further tests later in the week and stressed that no unnecessary risks would be taken with Dembélé or Doué ahead of Sunday’s clash with rivals Olympique de Marseille.
Despite the strain, Enrique and his players insisted the situation remains manageable. Goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier pointed to the squad’s ability to remain competitive, while full-back Nuno Mendes admitted the challenge but expressed confidence in PSG’s depth:
“We have a lot of matches, a lot of injuries, it’s complicated to manage. But we know how to prepare and we have players who can replace those who are missing. We are a strong, solid team.”
The demands of PSG’s schedule are a major factor. The club contested 65 fixtures last season, including a taxing Club World Cup campaign that stretched into mid-July. The relentless calendar has placed heavy workloads on core players such as Mendes, Vitinha and Bradley Barcola, raising fears of further injuries.
Behind the scenes, PSG have adjusted training intensity, introduced recovery-focused sessions and granted rest days in an attempt to protect their squad. Yet as Luis Enrique acknowledged, no measures can fully eliminate the risk:
“This is football. No one is completely safe from injuries.”
For PSG, adaptability will be central to navigating the months ahead. While the club’s depth has often been questioned, Luis Enrique’s philosophy of multi-role functionality may prove decisive in sustaining competitiveness across Ligue 1 and Europe. The challenge now is ensuring that those still available can withstand the demands of a season that is already testing the squad’s limits.
