Football NewsThe GuardianUnverified source· 21 Aug 2026
PSG's dominance leaves Ligue 1 rivals fighting for survival
As PSG reign supreme in Europe, French clubs focus on financial survival and player development.
Paris Saint Germain
team
League
Ligue 1
Champions
PSG
Focus
Survival and development
What happened. A new Ligue 1 season begins with most clubs prioritizing financial stability and developing players for Premier League buyers over competing with PSG.
- PSG have won back-to-back Champions League titles, cementing their dominance.
- Marseille, Monaco, and Lille see finishing second as an aspiration.
- Roberto De Zerbi's 'not here to finish second' quote highlights the competitive gap.
“I'm not here to finish second”
— Roberto De Zerbi
PSG's continued success may further widen the gap, making survival and development the norm for French clubs.
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