Paris Saint-Germain have set the world alight, winning the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League title in the 2024/25 season before reaching the final of the FIFA Club World Cup later that summer.
With Luis Enrique at the helm, PSG's tactical approach has been revolutionary at the global level.
The Spanish manager has implemented an aggressive and effective high press, using his players' elite fitness and technical ability to overwhelm opponents. When PSG lose the ball, they push robustly to win it back and smother the opposition with excessive possession.
This tactic is in play from the very first second of the match, as even their kickoff routine is structured around the high press.
The Sporting News explains why PSG boot the ball deep and out of play on kickoffs, which on the surface may seem confusing but in reality fits their style of play perfectly.
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Why do PSG kick the ball deep on kickoffs?
PSG have gained a bit of viral notoriety for their kickoff routine, which is somewhat unconventional. Some fans have been left confused as to why the French club hoofs the ball deep and out of play.
In essence, PSG would rather pin the opponent back deep in their own half of the pitch and spring their press than carry the ball forward themselves.
Luis Enrique trusts his players so implicitly to press the opponent out of possession, that the kickoff routine relies on exactly that. Vitinha kicks the ball deep and out of play — critically, for a throw-in rather than a goal kick — and Ousmane Dembele races forward to press the throw.
PSG believe they can win the ball back quickly off this play, and thus create a turnover high up the field in a dangerous area.
How clever is this kickoff tactic from @PSG_English?👀
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PSG press is the hallmark of Luis Enrique's tactics
The high press is an essential component of Luis Enrique's tactical approach at PSG.
It all starts with Ousmane Dembele up front, who presses harder than most forwards will. The pressing forwards force the opponent to play the ball back to the goalkeeper, who will either hoof it long or try to cycle play around to the other side.
Either option favors PSG, who can then either trap the ball out wide or win the 50-50 aerial duel in midfield.
If PSG lose the ball in midfield, the midfielders and full-backs will all converge to create numerical superiority and crowd the opposition to win the ball back quickly.
While this tactic is incredibly effective, it also has two negative side-effects. It can leave a team exhausted from so much running, and it can also leave them out of position should the press be broken.
To combat this, PSG will often rest on the ball instead of off it, using slow, monotonous possession at various stages to allow their energy reserves to catch up. If the press is broken, they possess exceptional recovery speed at key positions to recover at the back, while also re-pressing from behind the ball to re-engage and add an extra level of pressure.