PSG Confront an Unusual Challenge: Goal Shortage in Ligue 1
“It’s both beautiful and frustrating,” remarks the PSG manager. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a complicated relationship with how his club's league matches unfold. In PSG's matches, one team goes forward and the other sits back. “I like attacking a low block,” he asserts. “I have the most experience with this tactical scenario. I respect opponents' playing styles. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”
Facing defensive teams isn’t really a choice for PSG; this is their regular experience, due to the quality difference created by economic disparity. Their superior ability generally prevails and the low-block is unlocked with different levels of challenge. But it has been tougher this season.
Dominant Possession But Insufficient Output
The Parisians have maintained over 72% ball control in Ligue 1 so far this campaign. Versus Nice last weekend, they had 76.5% of the ball and made over 750 passes, against just Nice's 182. By half-time, the Portuguese midfielder had 90 touches of the ball – just six fewer than the complete opposition side – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. When the whistle blew for the interval, the visiting team's defender, whose close-range effort was saved by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had nearly scored.
This performance wasn't isolated. The Parisians had tied three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against their opponents, but were reliant on a late Mayulu leveler to earn a draw. And, despite having dominant control against another French side in midweek, they managed just one goal and were unable to win. Approximately 33% of the way into the season, PSG are ranked fifth for goals in Ligue 1 – behind Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg.
Attacking Unit Problems
It is a result of the unique approach that PSG receive, but also shows a genuine problem. Their attackers are struggling. The French international's 29 strikes last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the Champions League; Bradley Barcola scored 14 goals in the league; The talented youngster hit 16 in all competitions; and Their winter signing scored several times after his mid-season arrival.
He received the golden ball and, while it is debatable that the national team player is indeed the global standout, it is hard to dispute that he was not the outstanding individual of the last season. He's recorded merely five goals in 12 appearances this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on national team service in last month, which caused a dispute between PSG and the France team that has seen the connection between club and country worsen. Dembélé missed around several weeks of action as a result, but he appears below his best. Post-match against their rivals, he was seen clutching his hamstring. “The pain is intense,” he told club colleague.
Fitness Issues
Their manager says their star can play to face Bayern Munich this week in the European competition but, while he gets back up to speed, squad members need to perform. It won’t be Doué. The former Rennes forward was also hurt in September. He was returning to his best when he was struck down with another muscle issue, which is expected to rule him out until January. Kvaratskhelia is a valuable player to his team but he often excels mainly for the crucial games in the Champions League; he is still without a goal 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 games and is in a goal drought. Something of a purple-patch forward, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this costly PSG attack.
The Portuguese striker scored the winner against Nice but will he remain in the lineup in the team?
This was the role handed to the Portuguese when he joined in 2023. The international forward achieved the landmark of 100 games for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in more than half of those appearances. Recording 18 of his 38 goals after coming on as a substitute, he has clearly taken on the role of the “finisher”, partially due to his lack of impact when picked, but mostly due to his boss's unwillingness to begin with a conventional No 9. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? Basically because I'm substituted in more often than I begin games,” joked Ramos after the match.
Critical Moment
As scoring has decreased across the frontline, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his boss decisions to make. The centre-forward was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before scoring his final and winning the match, but the fact that the team's clearest openings were created for him is revealing. He's a natural goal scorer and that is what PSG were investing in 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 Luis Enrique. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are valuable time.” The moment might have come for the bench specialist to play a leading part.
Domestic Competition 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 |
| 11 |
