The summer of 2019 held special significance for Paris Saint-Germain, the reigning Ligue 1 champions.
Back in April 2018, with the help of Lagardère Sports China, the French Super Cup was brought to China.
In the 2018 French Super Cup, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Monaco 4-0 to win the title.
A year later, the French champions returned to China, playing two warm-up matches before the Super Cup.
From France to China, Paris Saint-Germain maintained a perfect record across six preseason friendlies, performing exceptionally well.
The team's starting lineup showed impressive cohesion.
When it came to the French Super Cup, PSG went all out.
Facing Rennes, they came out with a high-intensity, attacking style from the first minute.
In the first half, Cavani opened the scoring with a powerful strike.
After the break, Dembélé netted, and then Neymar curled in a direct free-kick to seal the 3-0 victory.
Paris Saint-Germain lifted the French Super Cup once again.
Notably, both Varane and Pogba missed the match.
Gao Shen had made a special trip to China to watch this highly anticipated match live.
After the Super Cup, he returned to Europe with the team.
...
On August 13, the Ligue 1 season officially kicked off.
Paris Saint-Germain hosted Nîmes in their opening league match.
Unlike the Super Cup, which functions more like a glorified warm-up, the Ligue 1 opener carried extra meaning.
It was also Gao Shen's first league match since taking over as PSG's technical director, and he was present at the Parc des Princes to watch from the stands.
Fortunately for Gao Shen, both the players and the coaching staff delivered.
With every part of the system operating smoothly, PSG's players showed excellent competitive form on the pitch.
Especially Neymar.
Buenaventura and Pintus had crafted a personalized training program for him, aiming to reduce injuries.
Motivated by both pressure and ambition, Neymar displayed an intensity rarely seen in previous Ligue 1 seasons.
Even in the French league, he was giving his all.
In the 16th minute, when Neymar found himself double-teamed on the left wing, the Brazilian star boldly chose to dribble through the gap between the two defenders, broke free, and fired a shot that found the net.
The Parc des Princes erupted with excitement.
Just six minutes later, Dembélé surged down the right and crossed. A handball in the box gave PSG a penalty, which Cavani calmly converted to make it 2-0.
After that, PSG continued to create chances and pinned Nîmes in their own half.
In the 42nd minute, Neymar made another explosive run down the left and delivered a low cross from the byline. Cavani arrived in the box and tapped it home to make it 3-0.
In the 56th minute of the second half, Pogba lofted a pass to Bernat on the left side of the box. Bernat pulled it back to Neymar, who fired a close-range shot into the net.
4-0.
Ten minutes later, Pogba slid a through ball into space. Neymar made a diagonal run, created a one-on-one, calmly rounded the onrushing goalkeeper, and slotted it into the net.
5-0.
Neymar had completed his hat-trick.
The Brazilian superstar's passion and performance in this Ligue 1 opener were simply astonishing.
Just one minute later, Kanté won the ball high up the pitch and passed to Neymar, who crossed into the box. Pogba arrived unmarked and calmly slotted the ball home.
6-0.
In the 75th minute, Mazraoui whipped in a 45-degree cross, and Cavani rose unmarked and headed it into the net.
7-0.
Paris Saint-Germain continued to create chances but were just short of adding more goals.
They sealed a resounding 7-0 home win.
...
A week later, in Ligue 1's second round, PSG traveled to face Rennes away.
Just 14 minutes in, Bernat whipped in a cross from the left and Cavani headed in to break the deadlock.
Later, the Uruguayan striker capitalized on a poor back pass and scored again to make it 2-0.
In the 38th minute, Cavani turned provider, slipping a pass through to Neymar, who entered the penalty area, turned past a defender, and buried his shot to make it 3-0.
Rennes pulled one back through Niang, but in the 69th minute, Pogba scored with a powerful header following a high-speed run into the box.
4-1.
Paris Saint-Germain had secured two wins from two.
...
In the third round, PSG hosted Toulouse.
Toulouse's physical and aggressive play led to an early injury for Cavani, who was forced to come off.
PSG also lacked luck in front of goal, with the Toulouse keeper Renette making several spectacular saves to deny them.
The first half ended goalless.
Just when it seemed like PSG's winning streak might be halted, Choupo-Moting stepped up.
In the 49th minute, he received a pass from Kanté in the box, controlled it, turned, and rifled it into the net.
Moments later, on the edge of the penalty area, he was surrounded by four defenders. He executed a brilliant Marseille turn, escaped the pressure, broke into the six-yard box, and fired home again.
2-0.
Six minutes later, Dembélé crossed from the right, and Choupo-Moting flicked it with his heel to the far post, where a defender deflected it in for an own goal.
3-0.
PSG turned up the heat from there.
Choupo-Moting completed his hat-trick after connecting with a cross from Bernat II. Marquinhos and Draxler also added goals.
Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Toulouse 6-0.
...
In the fourth round, PSG visited Metz.
Just 10 minutes into the match, Bernat received a pass from Neymar, drove into the left side of the box, and crossed to the near post, where Choupo-Moting headed it in.
1-0.
Since joining PSG, Choupo-Moting had faced plenty of criticism. But after Cavani's injury, he responded with a first-half hat-trick last round, and now he had scored again.
Four goals in two games.
In the 17th minute, PSG earned a corner. Varane rose at the far post and headed it in.
2-0.
This was the French national team captain's first goal since joining PSG.
In the 43rd minute, Choupo-Moting scored again, heading home a free-kick from the middle of the field.
3-0.
That was his fifth goal in two matches.
After the break, PSG continued to dominate.
In the 66th minute, Jorginho played a diagonal ball into the box. Dembélé latched onto it and scored from a tight angle.
4-0.
PSG later brought on several young players, including Lo Celso and Darwin Núñez, but couldn't find another goal.
Paris Saint-Germain secured a 4-0 away win over Metz.
...
One French Super Cup, four rounds of Ligue 1.
Paris Saint-Germain opened the season with five consecutive wins, including four straight league victories, all with emphatic scorelines.
With 21 goals in just four league matches, PSG achieved their best-ever start to a Ligue 1 season.
It also marked the most prolific start in Ligue 1 history.
Their star-studded attack featuring Neymar, Cavani, Choupo-Moting, Dembélé, and Pogba sent shockwaves through the league.
As L'Équipe put it, PSG's early-season form could only be described as a complete transformation.
Neymar was unplayable. He reminded fans of his peak Barcelona days, dominating from the left wing and oozing brilliance.
Cavani's goal-scoring was to be expected, but the biggest surprise was Choupo-Moting's form after Cavani's injury.
In a post-match interview after the Metz game, Tuchel said he was not surprised by Choupo-Moting's performances.
"I've always believed in him. He's a top striker. He's just showing his true level now."
A tall forward executing a Marseille turn to beat four defenders in the box? You wouldn't believe it unless you saw it with your own eyes.
Was this really the same Choupo-Moting who struggled so badly last season?
Choupo-Moting himself was pleased with his form, attributing his resurgence to focused training.
"Since the start of camp, the staff has worked hard to help me improve. They've been patient, helped me overcome physical limitations, and now I feel better than ever. Every match, I feel full of energy."
He even "complained" about Tuchel subbing him off early, saying he felt confident enough to score another hat-trick.
Two hat-tricks in a row would have been quite the feat.
L'Équipe believed Gao Shen and his team's arrival at PSG and their overhaul of the training base were clearly bearing fruit.
Since preseason began, reports from Saint-Germain-en-Laye had hinted at numerous changes and improvements.
The team's explosive start, with excellent form and chemistry, proved the summer training camp had paid off.
Just as importantly, the squad was well-balanced, and the summer signings had significantly strengthened the team.
Right now, PSG stood in a league of their own in France, displaying overwhelming dominance.
"The league is only four rounds in, but PSG might as well lock up the title already."
"No team looks capable of challenging PSG in Ligue 1 this season. But of course, their ambition goes beyond France. They want the Champions League."
(To be continued.)