PSG's Champions League treble bid is hardest test yet - Marquinhos

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos admits his side face their biggest challenge yet as they bid for a "historic" third straight Champions League triumph.

Holders PSG launch their European campaign against Slovan Bratislava at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night having defended their crown last season.

Only three other clubs have previously been crowned European champions for three consecutive seasons - Real Madrid (twice - 1956-60 and 2016-18), Ajax (1971-73) and Bayern Munich (1974-76).

Marquinhos told a press conference: "It would be historic. It is difficult to win it once. Winning it twice is even harder and very few teams have won it three times in a row, so that shows how difficult it is and I can appreciate the effort involved.

"It is about ambition, motivation and philosophy. We know that everything we have won is in the past now, so if we win it again we will have to be very demanding with ourselves and keep our standards high.

"Other teams have made important signings and efforts to improve their squads. I think it will be even harder this season than in previous ones."

Luis Enrique, nominated on Friday for the 2026 Ballon d'Or coach of the year award, described his side's start to the season as "catastrophic" after a four-match winless run in all competitions.

Following PSG's European Super Cup win over Aston Villa last month, they lost to French Cup winners Lens in the Trophee des Champions and drew their first two Ligue 1 games against Rennes and Lille before losing their opening home game to Monaco last week.

Luis Enrique, whose side sit 14th in Ligue 1, told a press conference: "If we are just talking about results, it has been a catastrophic start to the season.

"We try to assess everything that happens on the pitch. Of course, there are things to improve. I think we deserve more points, but I accept it and we are working hard to improve our performance."

Slovan coach Yaya Toure has guided the Slovakian champions to the Champions League proper for the second time in their history after being appointed as head coach in July.

The former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder's side have knocked out Iberia Tbilisi, Mjallby and Celje after entering the competition in the second qualifying round.

Luis Enrique added: "I always try to transmit the same thing to my players: the past is the past. You have to renew yourselves every year.

"Everyone is motivated and excited at the idea of playing us. It's something we have to accept and that's why we have to look to get out of our comfort zone. We have to seek to reinvent ourselves every day."