Paris Saint-Germain commenced their Champions League title defense with a dominant 4-0 victory over Atalanta at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. The reigning champions showcased their strength and ambition, signaling their intent to retain the coveted trophy.

The Parisians started strong, with Marquinhos scoring within the first three minutes, setting the tone for a comfortable evening. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then added a second before halftime with a superb strike. Nuno Mendes further extended the lead early in the second half, and Goncalo Ramos completed the rout with a final goal. PSG's dominance was such that even a missed penalty by Bradley Barcola in the first half hardly mattered.

PSG's coach, Luis Enrique, saw his team outclass their Italian opponents, who struggled to cope with the European champions' attacking prowess. Atalanta, who had enjoyed an unbeaten start to their Serie A campaign, were simply outmatched by the quality and intensity of PSG's play.

This victory marks a significant turnaround from PSG's previous Champions League campaign, where they faced difficulties in the early stages. Last season, they managed only one win and suffered three losses in their first five league phase matches. Despite that shaky start, they rallied to qualify for the knockout rounds and ultimately win the title. This year, they aim to avoid such early struggles and establish themselves as clear contenders from the outset.

However, concerns remain regarding the team's fitness and squad depth. A congested schedule, with many players involved in international duties, has led to injuries for key players like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue. In this match, 19-year-old Senny Mayulu, who scored in the previous Champions League final, started as the centre-forward. Midfielder Joao Neves was also forced off with a hamstring injury in the second half.

Despite these concerns, the emphatic victory over Atalanta demonstrates PSG's capabilities. The team's blend of experienced stars and promising young talents, combined with Luis Enrique's tactical approach, makes them a formidable force in this season's Champions League. This win provides a solid foundation as they aim to navigate the challenges of the group stage and progress towards another potential final.

Other teams also had strong starts in the Champions League. Liverpool secured a late 3-2 victory against Atletico Madrid, while Bayern Munich defeated Chelsea 3-1, and Inter Milan won 2-0 against Ajax.