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“It’s both beautiful and frustrating,” remarks Luis Enrique. The PSG boss has a tricky relationship with how his squad's league matches develop. Whenever the Parisians play, one team goes forward and the other sits back. “I enjoy facing defensive setups,” he maintains. “It is the phase of play that I am most familiar with. I respect opponents' playing styles. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Facing defensive teams is unavoidable for PSG; it's their constant situation, a result of the quality difference created by budget inequality. Their quality typically shines through and the low-block is unlocked with varying degrees of difficulty. But it has been tougher this season.

Game Dominance However Limited Returns

The French champions have recorded 72.5% possession in Ligue 1 so far this campaign. Against Nice on Saturday, they had dominant ball control and made 760 passes, against just 182 for Nice. By half-time, their playmaker had 90 touches of the ball – only six less than the entire Nice team – but PSG failed to convert their control. When the first period ended, Nice defender Juma Bah, whose close-range effort was saved by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had been the most dangerous.

This performance wasn't isolated. They had shared points in 75% of their recent Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against Strasbourg, but were needing a last-minute Senny Mayulu equaliser to earn a draw. And, despite having dominant control against Lorient in midweek, they found the net only once and were finally tied. Approximately 33% of the way into the season, PSG are just fifth in scoring in Ligue 1 – behind several other French clubs.

Attacking Unit Problems

This stems from the unique approach that PSG attract, but also shows a serious concern. Their forwards are not scoring. Their star forward's 29 goals last season helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Another attacker scored 14 times in the league; Désiré Doué hit 16 in all competitions; and Their winter signing scored eight after his winter transfer.

Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or and, while it is arguable that the French star is indeed the world's top footballer, it is challenging to deny that he was not the best player of the last season. He has just five goals in 12 appearances this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on country representation in September, which caused a dispute between PSG and the national squad that has seen the ties between both parties worsen. He was unavailable for around several weeks of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. After the win over Nice, he was seen touching his muscle. “It's very painful,” he told fellow player Hakimi.

Player Availability

Luis Enrique says their star can play to face the German giants this week in the Champions League but, while he gets back up to speed, squad members need to perform. It won’t be Doué. The promising talent was also injured in September. He was just getting back to his best when he was affected by another thigh injury, which is likely to keep him out until next month. Kvaratskhelia is a massive asset to his team but he often saves his best performances for the important matches in the continental competition; he is yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Barcola, PSG’s top scorer in all competitions this season, has just one score in his last eight matches and is in a fallow period. Something of a purple-patch forward, the form will certainly come back, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack.

The Portuguese striker scored the winner against Nice but will he keep his place in the team?

That was the job handed to their striker when he signed in 2023. The Portugal striker achieved the landmark of 100 appearances for PSG against Nice, but he has started on the sidelines 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 “super-sub”, somewhat owing to his ineffectiveness when picked, but mainly owing to his manager’s reluctance to field a traditional striker. “What explains my bench scoring record? Well, simply because I come off the bench more than I start,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Decisive Period

With their attack struggling across the frontline, the match-winning strike has given his coach something to consider. The centre-forward was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before scoring his final and securing the victory, but the fact that the team's clearest openings came to him is telling. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were acquiring when they paid substantial money. “He is a very important player for us because he is always ready for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said their coach. “Five minutes of Gonçalo on the pitch are productive periods.” Perhaps now is the opportunity for the super-sub to play a leading part.

French League 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

Table Position

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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