In the domestic league, Paris Saint-Germain has lost its lead. At the center of the criticism: the new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. What does this mean for the Champions League game at Bayer Leverkusen?
The table of the French Ligue 1 offers an unusual picture these days. Because at the top there isn’t Paris as usual Saint Germain – rather Olympique Marseille.
Recently only two draws in the league
After two draws in a row against the OSC Lille and Racing Strasbourg The capital city club had to give up the league lead to the southern French. Olympique had already won the direct duel in September. The title in France is for the Qatari investor group Qatar Sports Investments accommodating club duty.
For Bayer Leverkusen this is the question ahead of the duel in the Champions League on Tuesday (from 9 p.m. in the full radio report and in the live ticker at the sports show) the legitimate question is whether PSG vulnerable and beatable. The capital city club currently appears to be at least a little knocked out.
Sports show Champions League Live, ARD, October 21, 2025 8:50 p.m
Chevalier in criticism
The football experts in neighboring Germany have already found the culprit – the new goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier. His signing in the summer was a kind of political issue in Paris. Coach Luis Enrique really wanted the 23-year-old because he didn’t think goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was good enough, especially with the ball at his feet. In addition, the contract negotiations with the Italian proved to be difficult. Chevalier came from OSC Lille for 40 million euros and Donnarumma was added Manchester City deported. Not everyone in Paris liked that, as Donnarumma played a major role in winning the Champions League for the first time last season.
Blundered against Marseille
But Chevalier has his problems. The 0-1 defeat in the top game at Marseille was his fault. Then he sailed past a cross and “OM” defender Nayef Aguerd scored with his head. Spicy: Donnarumma, who was shot for him, got it in Paris Ballon d’Or-Gala was awarded the award for best goalkeeper of the past season almost at the same time.
At the weekend against Racing Strasbourg, Chevalier conceded three goals in a 3-3 draw. The goalkeeper didn’t look particularly good there either, thinks Lionel Charbonnier, an expert on the television show “After Foot” of the French broadcaster “RMC”.
Expert: “The suit is too big”
“He’s not doing enough. He hasn’t done his job. In my opinion, the suit is too big for Chevalier at the moment. With the self-confidence he had in Lille, he wouldn’t have conceded the goals. When you look at him, you get the impression that the goal is too big. At the moment he lacks charisma.”said the former French national goalkeeper.
And Maxime Barbaud from the transfer portal “Foot Mercato” explained: “Chevalier lacks authority. He is too shy to lead his defense. He manages to make some decisive and spectacular saves, but he is still too inconsistent.”
Paris has Injury concerns
However, it seems too easy to attribute the Paris earnings crisis solely to Chevalier. Coach Enrique had to do without Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz and captain Marquinhos against Strasbourg. Dembélé and Marquinhos are at least returning to the squad in Leverkusen, Fabián Ruiz is expected in the starting line-up. The long season followed by the Club World Cup is apparently also having an impact on a top club like Paris.
Hjulmand: “One of the best teams in the world”
An unsettled goalkeeper and injury concerns – is this the chance for Bayer? Maybe PSG will show its Champions League face too. In the premier class, the defending champion is still unbeaten after victories against Atalanta Bergamo (4-0) and FC Barcelona (2-1) – also thanks to goalkeeper Chevalier. Leverkusen, on the other hand, is still waiting for its first win after two draws.
Leverkusen coach Kasper Hjulmand doesn’t want to be blinded by the results in the French league anyway. “Paris is one of the best teams in the world, if not the best”said the Dane.