Here’s our series. The 5 best reasons to watch a match (with some adjustments here and there). We’ll be highlighting the most appealing aspects before each match with a mix of seriousness and humor. Please note, this isn’t meant to be an exhaustive overview. We continue here with the match between Paris Saint-Germain (1st) and Monaco (7th) this Friday at the Parc des Princes for Matchday 25 of the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season (kick-off 8:45 PM, CET).
5 – A Champions League feel, before the Champions League.
PSG and AS Monaco recently faced off in the Champions League playoffs, with two intense matches and a hard-fought qualification for PSG. There will likely be a sense of revenge on the Monaco side, while Paris also has its mind on its Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Chelsea on Wednesday (return leg on Tuesday the 17th). Tonight’s match has a strong European flavor.
4 – Barcola, the new number 9?
Bradley Barcola (23-year-old striker) recently delivered a remarkable performance as a number 9 in Le Havre, enough for some media outlets and journalists to wonder if he could establish himself in that role in Paris. We’re being more cautious at the moment, especially since there are other players (including Ousmane Dembélé). But perhaps we’ll see the Parisian number 29 in the center again, as was briefly the case against Monaco in Europe.
3 – Dembélé returns (Mayulu too).
Ousmane Dembélé (28-year-old forward) and Senny Mayulu (19-year-old midfielder) are expected to return to the squad this Friday, with the former being more impactful than the latter. He’s a special player, a key element that will allow PSG to be particularly incisive and unpredictable.
It will be interesting to see his fitness before the Champions League resumes, possibly with 20-30 minutes of playing time today. As for Mayulu, he obviously still needs to develop. But he’s clearly already a boost in a midfield that has shown signs of fatigue.
2 – Another crazy scenario?
The first Ligue 1 match wasn’t spectacular, but the two Champions League playoff matches were full of twists and turns and memorable moments. We could see another crazy scenario, even if we hope that PSG will be able to control the game.
1 – The title race on one side, Europe on the other.
PSG finally took the lead in Ligue 1 last weekend (four points ahead of RC Lens), but they are still far from being champions. So, even though the Champions League is on their minds, they must take this match seriously in order to move as close as possible to the title. As for Monaco, recent results have given them renewed hope of securing a European spot. Points in Paris would be a welcome boost, given the fierce competition.
