Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) indeed spent hefty amounts over the years to have more star players besides Mbappe. The departure of Mbappe to Real Madrid undeniably is a significant loss to the club. However, PSG still maintains a wealth of talent, allowing them to continue with strong performances.
You've accurately highlighted that, in the Champions League, performing well doesn't equate to securing the title. It requires strategy, maximizing player abilities, teamwork, and a fair bit of luck. The coach's role is crucial here, as how effectively he harnesses the potential of all players will determine the team's success. Winning matches isn't the same as winning a prestigious title like the Champions League, and PSG must strive to bridge that gap.
There is the luck factor at drawing other teams, but there is luck in games too. Remember the game PSG had against Dortmund last year? I mean PSG shot time and time and time again, went out by an inch, woodwork, hit the players, like so many almost goals happened in that game and it was definitely pure luck that PSG couldn't win that game, it was so easy for PSG to win normally, they were the better team without a doubt but PSG became very unlucky that day and missed so many chances that they do not normally miss. They are trying the same thing again, no matter how great one player is, you can't just have one player and trust that player will make you win everything.
I understand that prime Messi and prime Ronaldo was like that, they were so good that they would carry teams to UCL finals all by themselves, but NOBODY in history of football is like them, even the current stars can't do that, you need a whole team, so PSG could still be doing fine, they just need to keep on grinding. They are lacking Mbappe compared to last season, but they got some great talents and been winning so far, I think they will have what it takes this year, it's possible to win, and that would be a great story too, winning without Mbappe.