Paris Saint-Germain launched their UEFA Champions League defence with a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Atalanta, snapping the Italians’ eight-game unbeaten away run in the group stages.
It took only three minutes for the champions to strike, captain Marquinhos surging forward to finish Fabian Ruiz’s pass after pressing high up the pitch.
The onslaught continued as Nuno Mendes, Senny Mayulu, Bradley Barcola, and Achraf Hakimi all tested Marco Carnesecchi, who kept the scoreline respectable in the opening stages.
Atalanta briefly settled, with Odilon Kossounou blasting over and Mario Pašalić heading wide, but PSG’s quality soon told again.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia carved through the defence before lashing home a stunning second. Barcola missed a chance to extend the lead further when his penalty was saved after Marquinhos was fouled, giving Ivan Jurić’s men a glimmer of hope at the break.
That hope quickly evaporated. Six minutes into the second half, Mendes produced a dazzling solo finish from a tight angle to make it three.
PSG suffered a setback with João Neves forced off injured, but their dominance continued, and Gonçalo Ramos punished Raoul Bellanova’s loose backpass with a deft dink for the fourth.
Lucas Chevalier denied Nikola Krstović to preserve the clean sheet, ensuring the reigning champions began with a statement victory.
PSG carried their winning streak from domestic and Super Cup triumphs into Europe, while Atalanta’s promising early season form finally met its match under the Parisian lights.
