Here is our ongoing series: 5 good reasons to tune in to the match. Before every game, we’ll highlight the most compelling storylines with a mix of seriousness and humor—though, mind you, this isn’t an exhaustive preview. Next up is Paris Saint-Germain (11th) hosting Monaco (1st) at the Parc des Princes this Friday for Matchday 3 of the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 season (kick-off at 9:05 PM; CET).
5: Monaco—league leaders with a new coach PSG knows well.
It is worth noting that AS Monaco is the only Ligue 1 club to have won its first two matches. It is also rare for PSG to face the league leader this early on. Above all, this is a chance to close the gap and prevent the leaders from pulling away too soon. It promises to be a great challenge against coach Filipe Luis; Paris previously faced him in the Intercontinental Cup final when he was doing an outstanding job with Flamengo. This second encounter should be fascinating.
4: Where will Ousmane Dembélé play?
After a few days of rest, Ousmane Dembélé resumed training on Monday and will almost certainly be in the squad for this match. Will the 29-year-old forward start immediately upon his return? If so, will he play centrally or on the right wing? There are plenty of options, making this one of the big questions regarding tonight’s lineup—a decision that will significantly impact the other players.
3: Building momentum ahead of the Champions League.
The Champions League kicks off next week with a home game against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday. The team needs to be ready to pick up points right away so they can approach the subsequent fixtures—which don’t resume until October following a long break—with peace of mind. This is especially important given that Paris will return to European action with an away game against Manchester City and a home match against FC Barcelona. It is better to be ready from the start and avoid unnecessary pressure.
2: First match at the Parc des Princes.
Due to an unplayable pitch on Matchday 1, PSG swapped the order of their fixtures against Rennes (unless the Breton club also secures a return to Roazhon Park) and had to wait until this third round of matches to return to the Parc des Princes. It is a special occasion to be savored—complete with the presentation of new signings—and one not to be missed.
1: Time to get a win in Ligue 1.
There is no cause for alarm, especially given that PSG began with two tough away games at Rennes and Lille. Coach Luis Enrique even pointed out that his team had picked up just one point from those two fixtures last season. Early in the campaign, and following a delayed pre-season, that isn’t a bad return.
However, Paris is aiming for the top spot and cannot afford to languish in mid-table. Furthermore, having lost the Trophée des Champions 1–0 to Lens, PSG is currently on a three-game winless streak. That is too long for a club of this stature. An extra dose of determination is expected tonight—promising a fantastic match.
