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“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” states Luis Enrique. The French club's coach has a complicated relationship with how his club's league matches unfold. Whenever the Parisians play, one team attacks and the other defends. “Breaking down deep defenses appeals to me,” he insists. “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, a result of the talent imbalance created by financial imbalance. Their superior ability generally prevails and the resistance is overcome with mixed ease. However, this campaign has been more challenging.

Control of the Ball Yet Limited Output

PSG have averaged over 72% ball control in France's top flight so far this term. Facing Nice in their recent match, they had over 76% possession and made 760 passes, against just Nice's 182. By half-time, their playmaker had 90 contacts with the ball – only six less than the complete opposition side – but PSG couldn't translate superiority into goals. At halftime, the visiting team's defender, whose close-range effort was saved by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had nearly scored.

This performance wasn't isolated. They had shared points in three out of four Ligue 1 games. With 71% ball control against the visiting team, but were reliant on a late Senny Mayulu equaliser to earn a draw. Even with dominant control against their midweek opponents in midweek, they only scored once and were finally tied. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are only the fifth top scorers in Ligue 1 – trailing multiple domestic rivals.

Strike Force Problems

This stems from the unique approach that PSG attract, but also shows a real issue. Their attackers are struggling. Ousmane Dembélé’s 29 strikes last season helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the Champions League; Another attacker scored 14 goals in the league; The talented youngster hit 16 across all tournaments; and The Georgian international scored several times after his winter transfer.

He received the prestigious award and, while it is debatable that the France international is indeed the global standout, it is hard to dispute that he was not the best player of the 2024-25 campaign. He has just five scores in 12 matches this season. He experienced a thigh issue while on international duty in September, which gave rise to a conflict between PSG and the national squad that has seen the connection between club and country deteriorate. Dembélé missed around a month and a half of action as a result, but he appears below his best. After the win over Nice, he was seen touching his muscle. “The pain is intense,” he told fellow player Hakimi.

Player Availability

Luis Enrique says the forward should be available to face their European opponents this week in the European competition but, while he returns to full fitness, other players have to step up. Unfortunately, Doué cannot help. The former Rennes forward was also sidelined in recently. He was returning to his best when he was struck down with another thigh injury, which is expected to rule him out until January. The Georgian is a valuable player to his team but he often reserves his top displays for the big occasions in the Champions League; he is still without a goal in Ligue 1 this season. Another forward, PSG’s leading marksman in all competitions this season, has just one goal in his last eight matches and is in a fallow period. A player who scores in bursts, 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 got the decisive goal against Nice but will he keep his place in the team?

That was the job given to Gonçalo Ramos when he arrived in last year. The international forward hit the century of 100 appearances for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in more than half of those appearances. Having scored 18 of his 38 goals after being introduced from the bench, he has clearly taken on the role of the “finisher”, somewhat owing to his limited contribution when selected, but mainly owing to his boss's unwillingness to start with a out-and-out forward. “How come I score frequently as a substitute? The simple reason is I come off the bench more than I start,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Critical Moment

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 scoring his final and securing the victory, but the fact that their prime opportunities were created for him is significant. He's a natural goal scorer and that is what PSG were investing in when they made a significant investment. “His role is vital for us because he is constantly prepared for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said Luis Enrique. “Five minutes of Gonçalo on the pitch are quality minutes.” 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

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