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“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” states the PSG manager. The PSG boss has a complicated relationship with how his squad's league matches unfold. In PSG's matches, one team attacks and the other sits back. “I like attacking a low block,” he maintains. “I have the most experience with this tactical scenario. I am very respectful of how other teams play. It is a different kind of football from ours, it’s atypical, but I understand and accept it.”

Dealing with deep defenses is unavoidable for PSG; it is simply their reality, a result of the skill gap created by budget inequality. Their superior ability generally prevails and the defensive wall is broken with different levels of challenge. Yet this term has proven more difficult.

Control of the Ball However Poor Output

PSG have averaged over 72% ball control in France's top flight so far this season. Versus Nice last weekend, they had 76.5% of the ball and made numerous passes, against just Nice's 182. At the interval, Vitinha had numerous ball contacts – only six less than the whole Nice squad – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. When the first period ended, the visiting team's defender, whose header was cleared off the line by a PSG player, had come closest to scoring.

And this game isn’t an outlier. They had shared points in three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. Dominating possession with 71% against Strasbourg, but were reliant on a last-minute Senny Mayulu equaliser to secure one point. Even with 77% of the ball against Lorient in midweek, they only scored once and were ultimately held to a draw. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are just fifth in scoring in Ligue 1 – after Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg.

Attacking Unit Issues

This stems from the particular attention that PSG receive, but also shows a serious concern. Their goal scorers are underperforming. The French international's 29 scores last season helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; A young forward scored 14 occasions in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 total goals; and Kvaratskhelia scored eight after his January move.

The forward claimed the Ballon d’Or and, while it is debatable that the national team player is indeed the best player in the world, it is hard to dispute that he was not the best player of the last season. He's managed only five goals in 12 appearances this season. He experienced a thigh issue while on international duty in September, which caused a dispute between PSG and the French federation that has seen the ties between both parties worsen. He was unavailable for around several weeks of action as a result, but he appears below his best. Post-match against their rivals, he was seen touching his muscle. “It hurts so much,” he told club colleague.

Player Availability

Their manager says Dembélé will be fit to face the German giants this week in the Champions League but, while he returns to full fitness, teammates must contribute. Sadly, Doué is unavailable. The young attacker was also hurt in recently. He was recovering to his best when he was struck down with another leg problem, which is expected to rule him out until next month. The Georgian is a massive asset to his team but he often saves his best performances for the crucial games in the continental competition; he is still without a goal in Ligue 1 this season. Their current top scorer, PSG’s highest goal-getter in all competitions this season, has just a single strike in his last eight games and is in a dry spell. An attacker with hot streaks, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he shouldn't be relied upon to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack.

Their center forward found the match-winner against Nice but will he remain in the lineup in the team?

This was the role assigned to the Portuguese when he arrived in 2023. The international forward achieved the landmark of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in more than half of those appearances. Having scored nearly half his total after coming on as a substitute, he has very much assumed the role of the “impact player”, partially due to his ineffectiveness when starting, but primarily because of his coach's hesitation to start with a traditional striker. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? The simple reason is I come off the bench more than I start,” remarked Ramos after the match.

Decisive Period

With the goals drying up across the forward line, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his coach something to consider. The striker was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before scoring his final and winning the match, but the fact that the team's clearest openings came to him is telling. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were buying when they invested €65m. “His role is vital for us because he is constantly prepared for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said the manager. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are valuable time.” Perhaps now is the opportunity for the bench specialist to play a leading part.

Ligue 1 Results

• 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

Current Rankings

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
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