🔗 Share this article

“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” states the PSG manager. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a complex relationship with how his squad's league matches develop. When PSG are involved, one team presses and the other sits back. “Breaking down deep defenses appeals to me,” he asserts. “This is the game situation I know best. I am very respectful of how other teams play. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Accepting low blocks isn't optional for PSG; it is simply their reality, because of the talent imbalance created by budget inequality. Their superior ability generally prevails and the low-block is unlocked with varying degrees of difficulty. However, this campaign has been more challenging.

Game Dominance However Limited Output

The Parisians have maintained 72.5% possession in France's top flight so far this campaign. Versus Nice last weekend, they had over 76% possession and made numerous passes, versus just 182 for Nice. At the interval, Vitinha had 90 touches of the ball – only six less than the whole Nice squad – but PSG couldn't translate superiority into goals. At halftime, the visiting team's defender, whose goal-bound attempt was blocked by his teammate, had been the most dangerous.

And this game isn’t an outlier. The Parisians had tied three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against the visiting team, but were needing a dying moments Senny Mayulu equaliser to salvage a point. Even with dominant control against Lorient in midweek, they found the net only once and were ultimately held to a draw. Approximately 33% of the way into the season, PSG are only the fifth top scorers in Ligue 1 – behind multiple domestic rivals.

Attacking Unit Problems

This reflects the unique approach that PSG garner, but also shows a genuine problem. Their goal scorers are underperforming. The French international's 29 strikes last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the European Cup; Bradley Barcola scored 14 times in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 total goals; and Kvaratskhelia scored several times after his winter transfer.

The forward claimed the Ballon d’Or and, while it is debatable that the French star is indeed the global standout, it is hard to dispute that he was not the best player of the previous term. He has just five scores in 12 matches this season. He suffered a hamstring injury while on international duty in September, which led to a blame game between PSG and the French federation that has seen the ties between both parties worsen. He was unavailable for around six weeks of action as a result, but he appears below his best. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen holding his thigh. “It hurts so much,” he told club colleague.

Fitness Issues

The PSG coach says the forward should be available to face Bayern Munich this week in the Champions League but, while he gets back up to speed, teammates must contribute. It won’t be Doué. The promising talent was also hurt in the same month. He was recovering to his best when he was affected by another thigh injury, which is likely to keep him out until the new year. Their winger is a important contributor to his team but he often excels mainly for the big occasions in the Champions League; he is goalless so far in Ligue 1 this season. Their current top scorer, PSG’s top scorer in all competitions this season, has just one goal in his last eight appearances and is in a fallow period. An attacker with hot streaks, the scoring will surely resume, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this expensively assembled PSG attack.

Their center forward got the decisive goal against Nice but will he keep his place in the team?

These were the expectations given to their striker when he joined in 2023. The international forward achieved the landmark of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has started on the sidelines in the majority of those appearances. Having scored a significant portion after entering as a replacement, he has clearly taken on the role of the “finisher”, partially due to his lack of impact when picked, but primarily because of his boss's unwillingness to field a conventional No 9. “What explains my bench scoring record? Well, simply because I'm substituted in more often than I begin games,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Turning Point

As scoring has decreased across the forward line, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his coach something to consider. The centre-forward was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before converting his next and winning the match, but the fact that PSG’s best chances were created for him is significant. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were acquiring when they paid substantial money. “His role is vital for us because he is constantly prepared for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said their coach. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are valuable time.” The moment might have come for the super-sub to play a starring role.

Domestic Competition Matches

• Rennes 4-1 Strasbourg
• Lens 3-0 Lorient
• Lille 1-0 Angers
• Nantes 0-2 Metz
• Toulouse 0-0 Le Havre
• Brest 0-0 Lyon
• PSG 1-0 Nice
• Monaco 0-1 Paris FC
• Auxerre 0-1 Marseille

League Standings

Position	Team	Played	Goal Difference	Points
1	PSG	11	12	24
2	Marseille	11	14	22
3	Lens	11	7	22
4	Lille	11	10	20
5	Monaco	11	6	20
6	Lyon	11	4	20
7	Strasbourg	11	6	19
8	Nice	11	0	17
9	Toulouse	11	2	15
10	Rennes	11	1	15
11