Paris Saint-Germain defeated Flamengo on penalties (1-1 after extra time, then 3-1 on penalties) this Wednesday in Doha in the final of the 2025 Intercontinental Cup. After the match, former PSG player (1992–1998) and executive (2006–2012) Alain Roche shared his thoughts with L’Équipe.
Roche: “You have to know how to win without being perfect”
Should we remember PSG’s sixth trophy of the season, or a rather underwhelming collective performance?
“The sixth trophy, nothing else — and Safonov’s great performance. At times it was boring, PSG had accustomed us to something else. But they were extremely emotionally composed. I think they benefited from their experience in penalty shootouts at Liverpool during the European Super Cup (2-2, 4-3 on penalties against Tottenham). You have to know how to win without being perfect, and they did. Real Madrid have done that many times as well.
In the first half, I saw the pressing and counter-pressing that were their strength last season, which is a positive sign. Afterwards, we expected more chances. There were technical inaccuracies, little danger in front of the opposing goal, but I focus on the result. In a few years, that’s all we’ll remember anyway.”
Roche: “They didn’t rediscover last season’s collective play”
Why did Paris lack intensity?
“Fatigue, perhaps. I saw Neves with his hands on his knees at the end of the match, and the team was less compact as well. They didn’t rediscover last season’s collective play. I don’t know if you can win every season like this. Luis Enrique also changed all three forwards, which means something.
We haven’t yet seen the real Dembélé, but rather a player returning to competition. He didn’t get his shots on target, including the penalty. He’s only played 12 matches this season (13 in reality). He needs continuity, to regain his rhythm and feeling. I hope we’ll see the Dembélé of the last six months, not the first six. But he has to deal with everything that happened to him and get back into the game.”
Indeed, PSG cannot be said to have been particularly strong in terms of play during this final, even if there were some positive phases that shouldn’t be overlooked. Paris did not completely miss the mark. There was dominance, but only in spells, and once again a lack of efficiency.
As a result, PSG had to rely on other resources to win the final — and they did so with notable mental strength. The last four penalty shootouts, across four different competitions, have all been won. That is no coincidence. It has also made the difference in securing six trophies in the year 2025.
Now, PSG need to rediscover their strong collective identity if they want to go all the way again in the 2025–2026 season. There is no cause for concern yet; the difficulties encountered are logical. There was no proper physical preparation and the year has been particularly demanding.
As a result, the team lacks some physical sharpness and has dealt with injuries — notably Ousmane Dembélé (28), who is still far from his best. PSG should gradually build momentum as the season progresses and have already made solid progress in the first half of the campaign. The playing philosophy is still there; it now needs to be reinstalled over a full 90 minutes.
