Paris Saint-Germain kicked off their 2023-24 UEFA Champions League campaign with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Parc des Princes on September 6. The French club, aiming to secure a third consecutive Champions League title, were led by Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and new signing Ferran Torres.
Dembele, who had seen limited playing time so far this season as he gradually regained fitness following the World Cup, scored the opening two goals within the first 17 minutes. He further contributed by setting up two of Ferran Torres’ three goals, helping the Spanish forward complete a hat-trick on his European debut for PSG. Fabian Ruiz added the sixth goal late in the match, while Slovan Bratislava’s Sulejman Camara managed a consolation goal.
PSG’s coach Luis Enrique praised Dembele’s performance and overall contribution. “That was the Ousmane we all know and have seen over the last three years,” Enrique said, highlighting Dembele’s ability to create chances, press effectively, and support the team. Enrique also praised his squad depth, noting that he left key attackers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue on the bench. He singled out Kvaratskhelia as a potential Ballon d’Or contender alongside Dembele, emphasizing PSG’s wealth of individual talent with 10 players among the 30 nominees for the prestigious award.
Ferran Torres, who joined PSG from Barcelona in the close season, expressed surprise and satisfaction at his hat-trick. “The only thing we knew before the game was that we had to play with the right intensity, press when we lost the ball, and we did that really well,” Torres said. He acknowledged the challenge PSG faces in maintaining its Champions League dominance and noted the upcoming group stage matches against Manchester City and Barcelona, both clubs he previously represented.
Slovan Bratislava, coached by former international midfielder Yaya Toure, faced a difficult task against the defending champions. Toure made history as the first African to manage a team in Europe’s elite club competition. Despite the heavy defeat, Toure commended PSG’s quality and his own team’s effort. He described PSG as “exceptional” and admitted the gulf in class was evident but useful for his squad’s growth. “I can’t put four men on Dembele. I want my team to play too, and they did all they could,” Toure said, reflecting on the challenge of containing PSG’s star forward.
Having guided Slovan through three qualifying rounds, Toure recognized that competing with a powerhouse like PSG was a daunting task. He expressed optimism that the experience would help his players improve, even as they face a steep learning curve this season.
PSG’s dominant performance underscored their status as one of Europe’s leading clubs, poised to continue their pursuit of Champions League success amid a group stage filled with tough opponents.