Manchester City's eight-game winning streak was halted by PSG at Etihad. The Manchester club was stunned by their opponent's attacking prowess, despite having recently beaten Liverpool 3-0 in the premier league just days before.

Following the match, Maresca invoked a familiar argument whenever an English club suffers a heavy defeat to PSG – a frequent occurrence over the past two years – claiming that Ligue 1's lack of competitiveness allows the French side to conserve energy for the Champions League. "PSG can rest some of their best players before every Champions League match, not just the one against us today," he stated.

The Italian coach referred to his colleague Luis Enrique's extensive rotation between the 10/10 victory against Le Mans and the away match in Manchester four days later. Only three players started both games: goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, defender Achraf Hakimi, and forward Maghnes Akliouche.

Coach Enzo Maresca reacts during Manchester City's 2-4 loss to PSG in the second leg of the Champions League group stage at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England on 14/10/2026. Photo: Reuters

Coach Enzo Maresca reacts during Manchester City's 2-4 loss to PSG in the second leg of the Champions League group stage at Etihad Stadium, Manchester, England on 14/10/2026. Photo: Reuters

Maresca's viewpoint was further amplified by former Liverpool player Jermaine Pennant on Talksport on 14/10. According to the English pundit, the disparity in quality within Ligue 1 provides PSG with a significant advantage.

"That's why Ligue 1 is called the 'Farmers League'", Pennant remarked. "You can play a ballond'or winner in just eleven games and still easily win the title. If the league were more competitive, could PSG do that? Certainly not. In the premier league, you can't do that. You have to use your best players week in, week out, regardless of the opponent."

However, these arguments overlook the fact that Manchester City also boasts a deep squad. In the match against PSG, the English team had Ayyoub Bouaddi, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Matheus Nunes, Mateo Kovacic, Iliman Ndiaye, Vitor Reis, and Allan Elias on the bench. The combined transfer fees for these seven players exceeded 400 million USD. Therefore, portraying Manchester City as a club lacking resources or squad depth is unconvincing.

Graphic: Hong Duy (AI support)

Similar complaints are not new, often originating from England itself. In may last year, coach Mikel Arteta highlighted the physical differences between PSG and premier league teams.

"When I reflect on the PSG versus Bayern match, it was perhaps the best game I hadn't witnessed live," the Arsenal coach said. "But when considering the playing time and fitness of the players, I'm not surprised. To play at such a high level, you must be in peak physical condition. The difference between leagues and their level of competition is vast. Compared to the premier league, they are two different worlds."

During a press conference on 16/10, before the away game against Strasbourg, coach Enrique refuted Maresca's views. "These are familiar discussions surrounding a team like PSG," he stated. "Before I arrived here, many said PSG would never win the Champions League because Ligue 1 wasn't strong enough. Now, when we win, many complain. It's becoming familiar and normal."

Ironically, Ligue 1's lack of competition was once considered the reason for PSG's repeated failures in the Champions League. When the Paris club consistently exited in the round of sixteen or quarterfinals, English experts argued that not facing significant enough challenges domestically left PSG unprepared for elite European matches.

Desire Doue celebrates a goal against Manchester City. Photo: AP

Desire Doue celebrates a goal against Manchester City. Photo: AP

In 2018, after a PSG defeat to Liverpool, former England striker Gary Lineker questioned: "Could the reason be that Ligue 1 is too easy for them? When they enter the Champions League, PSG faces opponents playing at a completely different intensity, and they can't adapt."

Not only pundits, but PSG players themselves once viewed Ligue 1 as a barrier to their European ambitions. Most only admitted this after leaving the club, to avoid publicly criticizing the league they were playing in.

After departing PSG, defender Yuri Berchiche told Journal du Dimanche: "From my perspective, PSG's opponents aren't strong enough. In Spain, the intensity of competition helps Barca, Atletico, and Real Madrid better prepare for big European matches. Having to go through difficult games every weekend is truly beneficial."

This perspective was also echoed by Marco Verratti. During his many years at PSG, the Italian midfielder often suggested the team lacked the ability to withstand pressure and overcome difficult moments.

Similarly, in an interview with L'Equipe, former striker Ezequiel Lavezzi frankly admitted he disliked Ligue 1. "I don't find this league motivating. That's the truth. PSG is far too strong for the other teams," he said. "In Italy, it's different. Each season has eight big matches, while in France there are only two."

Coach Luis Enrique and PSG members celebrate after defeating Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary on 30/5/2026. Photo: Reuters

Coach Luis Enrique and PSG members celebrate after defeating Arsenal in the Champions League final in Budapest, Hungary on 30/5/2026. Photo: Reuters

So why does the same reality lead to two completely opposite assessments, simply because PSG previously failed and now succeeds? When PSG was consistently eliminated early in the Champions League, Ligue 1 was criticized as too weak, failing to prepare the team for major challenges. But when PSG defeats premier league teams, that same lack of competition becomes an advantage, granting them superior physical condition.

Enrique has learned to leverage Ligue 1's lack of competition to PSG's advantage. The issue is no longer simply about the French league being weaker than Europe's top leagues, but rather how effectively a coach can exploit that difference in quality.

Enrique judiciously manages playing time, maintains the competitive edge of reserve players, and convinces key players like Marquinhos and Ousmane Dembele to accept rest. More importantly, the Spanish coach plans for peak performance, ensuring PSG is in optimal condition during crucial Champions League moments.

Naturally, PSG holds a significant advantage over the rest of Ligue 1. However, this does not guarantee European success. Barca and Real Madrid have almost consecutively dominated La Liga for decades, while Bayern Munich also faces no worthy rivals in the bundesliga.

A gap in domestic league quality can become an advantage, but only if the coach knows how to exploit it. Enrique appears to have found the right formula. It is not Ligue 1 that enables PSG's effective rotation, but Enrique himself who creates that advantage.

Hong Duy (according to Eurosport)