“It’s a mix of beauty and frustration,” states Luis Enrique. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a complicated relationship with how his team’s league matches develop. Whenever the Parisians play, one team presses and the other defends. “Breaking down deep defenses appeals to me,” he asserts. “This is the game situation I know best. I appreciate the diversity of football approaches. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”
Dealing with deep defenses is unavoidable for PSG; it is simply their reality, due to the skill gap created by economic disparity. Their talent usually tells and the defensive wall is broken with different levels of challenge. Yet this term has proven more difficult.
The French champions have recorded nearly three-quarters of possession in the French league so far this campaign. Against Nice on Saturday, they had over 76% possession and made numerous passes, compared to just 182 for Nice. By half-time, Vitinha had numerous ball contacts – just six fewer than the complete opposition side – but PSG couldn't translate superiority into goals. When the whistle blew for the interval, the visiting team's defender, whose goal-bound attempt was blocked by his teammate, had come closest to scoring.
This performance wasn't isolated. The Parisians had tied three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. With 71% ball control against the visiting team, but were dependent on a late Mayulu leveler to salvage a point. Even with 77% possession against their midweek opponents in midweek, they found the net only once and were finally tied. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are just fifth in scoring in Ligue 1 – behind Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg.
This reflects the special treatment that PSG receive, but also shows a real issue. Their forwards are not scoring. Their star forward's 29 goals last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Another attacker scored 14 occasions in the league; Désiré Doué hit 16 total goals; and Their winter signing scored eight after his mid-season arrival.
Dembélé won the prestigious award and, while it is arguable that the France international is indeed the best player in the world, it is challenging to deny that he was not the top performer of the last season. He's managed only five goals in 12 appearances this season. He suffered a hamstring injury while on national team service in September, which led to a conflict between PSG and the national squad that has seen the ties between both parties decline. Dembélé missed around six weeks of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen holding his thigh. “It hurts so much,” he told teammate Achraf Hakimi.
Luis Enrique says their star can play to face Bayern Munich this week in the Champions League but, while he returns to full fitness, other players have to step up. It won’t be Doué. The former Rennes forward was also injured in September. He was just getting back to his best when he was affected by another muscle issue, which is projected to sideline him until next month. Their winger is a important contributor to his team but he often reserves his top displays for the important matches in the Champions League; he is yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Barcola, PSG’s top scorer in all competitions this season, has just one goal in his last eight games and is in a dry spell. An attacker with hot streaks, the form will certainly come back, but he shouldn't be relied upon to be the goalscorer in this costly PSG attack.
The Portuguese striker got the decisive goal against Nice but will he remain in the lineup in the team?
These were the expectations handed to Gonçalo Ramos when he signed in recently. Their number nine achieved the landmark of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in the majority of those appearances. With a significant portion after coming on as a substitute, he has very much assumed the role of the “finisher”, partly because of his limited contribution when selected, but primarily because of his coach's hesitation to start with a traditional striker. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? Basically because I come off the bench more than I start,” joked Ramos after the match.
As scoring has decreased across the attacking unit, his late decisive goal has given his boss decisions to make. Their number nine was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before scoring his final and deciding the game, but the fact that PSG’s best chances fell to him is telling. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were investing in 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 the manager. “Short cameos from the striker are valuable time.” The moment might have come for the super-sub to play a major part.
| 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 |
An avid hiker and nature photographer with a passion for exploring the Italian Alps and sharing travel insights.
