While everyone else has been relying on individual brilliance and star talent, Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique has quietly reshaped his team and is also preparing for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Arsenal.
The Spanish coach, who has achieved great success with Barcelona and the Spanish national team, has introduced a distinctive philosophy to the French capital, "in which the individual is not above the group."
The results were impressive, and Paris Saint-Germain now find themselves on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League final in a crucial match against Arsenal at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, following a 1-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium following a superb display of collective discipline.
Enrique arrived at Paris Saint-Germain last season with a simple but firm motto: "No one stands out."
At a club long associated with stars—from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Neymar to Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé—its refusal to build a team based on individual talent has raised eyebrows, especially given the team's struggles in the early stages of its Champions League campaign.
“You can't understand,” Enrique joked when an interviewer asked him about his tactics during the league campaign.
A string of unconvincing performances in the opening phase has led critics to question whether Luis Enrique's philosophy will work at a club where star power has often overshadowed tactical cohesion.
However, months later, his approach appears to have paid off, with Paris Saint-Germain developing into one of the most cohesive and tactically disciplined teams in Europe this season.
Focusing on pressing as a unit and maintaining a balance between attack and defense were key to their strong comeback.
This shift is most evident in the midfield, which was previously seen as a relative weakness, but now operates with precision and control against some of the continent's elite teams.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been a key figure in this development. The Georgian international, whose versatility allows him to play in both attacking and defensive roles, embodies the flexibility that Enrique demands from his team. Kvaratskhelia's ability to shift seamlessly between positions and responsibilities has added an element of unpredictability to PSG, which has been crucial to their progress in Europe's premier competition.
Enrique's commitment to teamwork signaled a broader cultural shift within Paris Saint-Germain. The club's previous reliance on individual stardom, a hallmark of the era of Qatar's sports investment, has been replaced by a system in which each player's role is clearly defined within a broader tactical framework.
The likes of Ibrahimovic, Neymar and Messi may have provided memorable moments in Paris, but under Luis Enrique, the days of building a team around one star appear to be over.
It's worth noting that Enrique predicted this development last year, revealing in post-match interviews that his focus was already on building a team for the following season, and this long-term vision is now beginning to bear fruit.
Ironically, thanks to this resolute collective approach, Paris Saint-Germain may produce the next Ballon d'Or winner.
Ousmane Dembélé, who has rejuvenated under Enrique and thrived in a system built on teamwork and tactical discipline, has emerged as an outside contender for football's most coveted individual award, the Ballon d'Or, a fitting irony for a club undergoing a quiet revolution.
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