PARIS (BN24) — Paris Saint-Germain began their Champions League title defense decisively on Wednesday, sweeping aside Atalanta 4-0 at the Parc des Princes to signal their intent for back-to-back European crowns.
Fresh off a resounding 5-0 win over Inter Milan in last season’s final, PSG wasted no time asserting its dominance against another Italian opponent. Captain Marquinhos opened the scoring just three minutes into the Group Stage encounter, steering home Fabian Ruiz’s low cross from close range.
Nuno Mendes, Senny Mayulu, and Bradley Barcola all went close to doubling the lead in a blistering early spell, with Barcola seeing a goal ruled out for offside after a tidy finish.
Luis Enrique’s side found their second goal six minutes before halftime through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who capped a dazzling solo run with a powerful strike from the edge of the area.
PSG appeared poised to make it 3-0 moments later when referee Sandro Schärer awarded a penalty after consulting VAR for a foul on Marquinhos by Atalanta’s Yunus Musah. But Barcola’s low spot-kick was comfortably saved by Marco Carnesecchi.
The missed chance did little to stall PSG’s momentum. Just six minutes into the second half, Barcola turned provider, slipping a precise pass into the path of Mendes, who squeezed his finish through Carnesecchi from a tight angle.
Substitute Goncalo Ramos added the final touch late on, reacting quickest to a loose ball in the box and lifting a composed finish over the onrushing Atalanta goalkeeper to seal the 4-0 rout.
PSG’s dominant display sends a clear message to their European rivals, with Enrique’s men looking sharp, cohesive, and relentless in their first outing of the 2025–26 campaign.
