Paris Saint-Germain claimed a 4–0 win over Atalanta on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in the opening round of the 2025–2026 Champions League group stage. After the victory, journalist Daniel Riolo took part in the post-match analysis on RMC Sport. He praised the quality of Luis Enrique’s Parisian side before discussing the decision to start 19-year-old attacking midfielder Senny Mayulu instead of 24-year-old striker Gonçalo Ramos. He also expressed his admiration for 26-year-old right-back Achraf Hakimi.
Riolo: “We should underline how impressive they are.”
“Maybe Atalanta were disappointing, but what PSG did—the sheer number of runs, so many players ahead of the ball, and the desire to win it back—saves certain efforts. We’re not yet at the stage of asking who can stop this PSG, but we should underline how impressive they are. They know how to suffocate their opponents. They scored immediately from this pressure, with Marquinhos’ first goal illustrating a lot.”
Riolo: “We shouldn’t be surprised to see Mayulu.”
Ramos?
“Luis Enrique doesn’t want a classic No.9, he wants constant movement that creates space for others. It’s great that he came on and scored, but it doesn’t change anything. We shouldn’t be surprised to see Mayulu.
Hakimi—this is not the first time I’ve said it—but for me he’s a superhuman. The way he plays for both club and country, constantly… he plays all the time. Tonight again he was incredible, he never stops.”
While Riolo’s comments aren’t decisive for PSG’s future, it’s refreshing to hear him be so complimentary—especially after being very critical of Paris and Luis Enrique in the past. Less than a year ago, Enrique’s methods seemed almost random, even like self-sabotage.
But those positional changes were part of building this exceptional collective, with movement patterns that are hard to follow and tailored to the opponent’s defense. The Paris coach had his plan and worked on it by sharing his trust with the squad. A collective of this level is rare and should be savored.
As for Ramos, missing out on a starting spot might sting, but there’s competition and Enrique’s tactical analysis to consider. The coach explained that he wanted Mayulu’s mobility to escape Atalanta’s pressing. The Portuguese striker could still start on Sunday against Olympique de Marseille.
And Hakimi, of course, with his phenomenal athletic qualities combined with tactical intelligence and technical precision, is an exceptional player PSG can be proud of. Care must be taken not to overuse him, though—he was rested for Morocco’s second match, something everyone appreciated.
