Ensemble PSG Podcast

Any time Paris Saint-Germain travels to the Brittany region of France, they know they're in for a battle.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise to discuss PSG's narrow escape away at Stade Brestois 29. I also get Ethan's thoughts on PSG's massive win over AC Milan last week in the UEFA Champions League, and we touch on the troubling incident between Olympique de Marseille and Olympique Lyonnais.

We start with Luis Enrique's starting lineup, which saw Milan Škriniar and Danilo Pereira at center-back. With Brest scoring two goals off of set pieces, will this be the last time we see this duo starting a match?

We then discuss Warren-Zaïre-Emery, who scored a goal to follow up his man-of-the-match performance against AC Milan. We discuss his performance and what his potential could be as he progresses at PSG.

Kylian Mbappé scored a brace against Brest, including the game-winning goal, but he also got into an altercation prior to taking a penalty kick, and then when he was subbed off, he got into a shouting match with the Brest supporters. We discuss those incidents, his leadership, and whether he should be rested ahead of the match against AC Milan.

We wrap up the show with Ethan sharing his thoughts on the win against the Rossoneri at the Parc des Princes and what should happen to Marseille after some of their supporters allegedly attacked a bus carrying the Lyon players and staff.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

In a must-win match against AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain stood up to the challenge and delivered a clutch 3-0 victory that could propel them into the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Jonathan Johnson from CBS Sports to discuss PSG's win over Milan at the Parc des Princes, the performance of Warren Zaïre-Emery, and the squad depth that Luis Enrique has at his disposal.

Up first, Jonathan shares what impressed him the most about PSG's performance, including Luis Enrique's tactics and Zaïre-Emery, who was named man of the match. I ask what kind of player he can develop into and who is his current comparison in European football.

Milan did push back on PSG at times, so I asked Jonathan whether Luis Enrique should switch to a more counterattacking style or continue to play a possession-based game. From Bradley Barcola to Kang-In Lee to Gonçalo Ramos, PSG's depth is better than it has been in years, but is it on par with Manchester City?

Lastly, I asked Jonathan about Xavi Simons, who is on loan at RB Leipzig and scored an incredible goal in the Champions League. Could the young superstar decide to stay in Germany or force a transfer away from Paris? What could his return mean for Kylian Mbappé and his future at PSG?

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

Coming off the defeat to Newcastle United F.C. in the UEFA Champions League last week, Paris Saint-Germain had one more chance to get back on track before the international break.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise and Drew from Dallas to break down PSG's 3-1 win over Stade Rennais, and I get their thoughts on the performance against Newcastle.

Up first, we share our overall thoughts on PSG's performance away at Rennes, which is traditionally a tricky fixture for Les Parisiens. We highlight Luis Enrique's decision to go back to a traditional 4-3-3 formation and the return of Vitinha to the starting lineup.

Along with Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi had a standout performance against Rennes. We discuss his resurgence under Luis Enrique and how his partnership with Ousmane Dembélé led to both players elevating their game.

Kylian Mbappé had a strong xG against Rennes, but he failed to convert his numerous scoring opportunities, including a wide-open net opportunity. We debate whether he has Real Madrid on his mind or if fatigue is a factor.

Lastly, we discuss whether the timing of the international break is good or bad for PSG, and we look back one final time on the loss to Newcastle.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

Not many teams would have gone into St. James' Park on Wednesday night and escaped with a win, and that was the case for Paris Saint-Germain as arrogance and costly mistakes led to a convincing defeat.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm thrilled to be joined by long-time contributor Carl-Oscar Kallstrom to break down PSG's 4-1 loss at the hands of Newcastle on matchday two of the UEFA Champions League.

First, we begin with Luis Enrique's head-scratching starting lineup, which saw Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, and Randal Kolo Muani all on the pitch at the same time. The 4-2-4 formation left the midfield thin, with only Manuel Ugarte and Warren Zaïre-Emery left to fight for possession, and the defense suffered as well. We debate why Luis Enrique went with this lineup and why he didn't change when he realized things weren't working.

Next, we discuss Marquinhos, whose mistake led to Newcastle's first goal. Is it time for the PSG captain to be benched? If so, who should take his place, and what defensive formation should PSG play?

We also break down Zaïre-Emery's performance and question whether he is one of the most important players in the squad. We also wonder what is wrong with Mbappé and what his body language against Newcastle might be telling us.

Lastly, we answer some of your questions from social media and share why we remain positive about Paris Saint-Germain this season.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

There are no off days for Paris Saint-Germain in the current edition of the UEFA Champions League group stage, and Luis Enrique wouldn't have it any other way.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise to discuss the scoreless draw against Clermont Foot last Saturday and how that result could carry over to PSG's upcoming match against Newcastle United FC.

Up first, we recap the Clermont Foot match where PSG played very well and recorded an xG of more than three but failed to score a goal. We debate whether the lack of goals could carry over into the next match and if Luis Enrique's three-at-the-back formation could work long-term.

Next, we discuss the highly-anticipated match against Newcastle. PSG will travel more than 550 miles north to Newcastle Upon Tyne to take on the Magpies, where a hostile crowd—and drones—will be waiting. We wonder about the health of Kylian Mbappé and who might need to step up if he's not 100% healthy. We also discuss potential tactics and what strategy Luis Enrique might deploy against Eddie Howe's club.

We conclude with our match predictions and a quick update on Nuno Mendes.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

Following their triumph over Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League last Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain looked to climb the Ligue 1 ladder as a very poor Olympique de Marseille side paid a visit to the French capital.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan of PSG Fan Club Boise to discuss PSG's 4-0 win over Marseille. We break down Luis Enrique's starting lineup, breakout performances, Kylian Mbappé's injury, and look ahead to the next couple of matches on the fixture list.

Up first, it's all about Le Classique. Luis Enrique went with an unconventional starting lineup, with three defenders and newcomer Bradley Barcola playing on the left flank behind Mbappé. We discuss the manager's flexibility, Barcola's performance, and how PSG's rebuilt defense is still learning to play together.

PSG scored early and often against Marseille, with Achraf Hakimi kicking this off in the eighth minute with a brilliant free kick. We discuss his complete turnaround in recent weeks and how Manuel Ugarte's defensive prowess allows Hakimi to get forward and join the PSG attack.

Mbappé won the free kick that led to Hakimi's goal, and while the Frenchman tried to continue, he eventually left the match in the first half with an ankle injury. We discuss the impact of the injury and whether Mbappé should feature against Clermont Foot before PSG travels to Newcastle United on October 4, for a big Champions League match.

Finally, we discuss PSG's other two goalscorers, Randal Kolo Muani and Gonçalo Ramos. Both newcomers were on the verge of being classified as 007 (zero goals, zero assists in first seven matches), but Kolo Muani scored an opportunistic goal before halftime, and Ramos scored a difficult header in the second half and capped off an incredible counter move to wrap things up. We share our expectations for both attackers as the season progresses, and look ahead quickly to PSG's upcoming match against Newcastle.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

A lot has changed since Paris Saint-Germain last featured in the UEFA Champions League earlier this year. Players have come and gone, but one thing remained the same: defeating Borussia Dortmund.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Jonathan Johnson of CBS Sports to recap PSG's 2-0 victory over Dortmund to open group stage play of the Champions League. We discuss the squad's performance, standout players, and I get JJ's thoughts on the new kit as well.

We start with Johnson's description of the atmosphere at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday night. Was there a sense of optimism amongst the crowd or nervous energy about the unknown? How did the Dortmund supporters feel heading into the match? JJ shares his first-hand account with us.

Next, we discuss PSG's first-half performance, which lacked a goal but delivered plenty of promise. We also talk about Dortmund's tactics, which were apparently to play defense for 90 minutes and try to escape with a scoreless draw.

The man of the match was Vitinha, who nearly scored in the first half and recorded a beautiful assist to Achraf Hakimi for PSG's second goal of the night. I also ask JJ about the recent news that he and Lionel Messi butted heads in training last season.

Speaking of Messi, I ask Johnson what he thought was the biggest difference between PSG last season with Messi and Neymar, compared to this season.

Finally, we talk about the upcoming fixture against Olympique de Marseille on Sunday, and JJ helps preview that matchup as PSG looks for a positive result to climb the Ligue 1 table.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

The international break is ending, and Paris Saint-Germain faces an uphill battle as one of its leaders departs the club unceremoniously.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise to react to the news that Marco Verratti has agreed to leave the club. We also discuss PSG's spending spree this summer and look ahead to a difficult stretch of matches coming up for Les Parisiens.

Up first, it's the news that Verratti will leave PSG after 11 years and join Al-Arabi SC of the Qatar Stars League for a reported fee of €45 million. We share our initial reaction, question why it's taken so long, and whether PSG could have gotten a higher transfer fee for the talented midfielder.

There were reports that other top European clubs were interested in signing Verratti, including Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC, and FC Barcelona. Why didn't the Italy international go to those clubs instead of Al Arabi?

Verratti's departure likely concludes a hectic summer transfer window, which saw PSG have a higher net spend than Chelsea. We look ahead to the January transfer window and beyond and predict what kind of business PSG might do.

Lastly, we wrap up the show by discussing Marco Asensio's injury and what it means for Luis Enrique's squad selection. We also explain why PSG's matches against Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League and Olympique de Marseille in Ligue 1 are must-win games for PSG.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

Paris Saint-Germain supporters are smiling just a bit more and have an extra bounce to their step because not since the incredible run to the UEFA Champions League final in 2020 have they been this satisfied with the sporting project.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise and Drew from Dallas to recap PSG's thrilling 4-1 win over Olympique Lyonnais at the Groupama Stadium. We discuss standout players, how Luis Enrique will shape the squad with the latest incoming transfers likely suiting up after the international break, and so much more.

To get started, we break down that convincing win over Lyon that saw PSG put four goals past Anthony Lopes before halftime. The team shares what stood out to them, including another Manuel Ugarte masterclass and a Kylian Mbappé brace. However, the defense still feels shaky, and we wonder what changes Luis Enrique might make moving forward.

Next, we transition to the Champions League draw that pits PSG against Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Newcastle United in Group F. We share our reaction to the draw and whether PSG should be the favorite to advance and who might challenge them the most.

The show concludes with our reaction to a couple of quotes. First, it's Lucas Hernández who said PSG is the biggest challenge of his career and that he wants to go down in the club's history. The other quote is from Neymar Jr., who revealed that he and Lionel Messi felt that playing for PSG was like "hell."

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.

After two disappointing results to open the Ligue 1 season, Paris Saint-Germain welcomed RC Lens to the Parc des Princes on Saturday in their most difficult test yet. After the final whistle, fans were beaming with pride due to both the result, and style of play showcased.

On this episode of PSG Talking, I'm joined by Ethan from PSG Fan Club Boise to break down PSG's 3-1 win over RC Lens, a club that surprised last season and qualified for this season's UEFA Champions League.

Up first, we discuss Luis Enrique's starting lineup and whether the new manager is getting close to figuring out his ideal starting XI. We also discuss who is most at risk of losing their spot as a starter.

Next, we discuss Kylian Mbappé, who was cheered by the PSG Ultras before scoring a brace. We talk about his performance overall and his telepathic connection with Ousmane Dembélé.

As good as PSG's attack was, the midfield was outstanding. Warren Zaïre-Emery continues to show why PSG sees him as the future of the club, Vitinha showed a lot of promise going forward, and Manuel Ugarte was a one-man wrecking ball with nine ground duels won and six successful tackles. We discuss their performance and whether Kang-In Lee can break into the midfield as a starter.

Unfortunately, there were some rough patches for PSG. Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, and Gianluigi Donnarumma continue to play below their ability, and we question whether Enrique will replace them in the starting lineup as more players return from injury.

The episode concludes with a discussion about the transfer window and whether PSG are a serious contender for the Champions League title. We also talk about a controversial banner held up by PSG supporters in Paris and Miami.

As always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe and rate the show wherever you download your podcasts. We’re also on Substack! Subscribe for free today to access premium PSG content.