PSG Encounter an Unusual Challenge: Scoring Shortage in French Ligue 1
“It’s a mix of beauty and frustration,” says the PSG manager. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a tricky relationship with how his club's league matches play out. Whenever the Parisians play, one team presses and the other protects. “I enjoy facing defensive setups,” he maintains. “I have the most experience with this tactical scenario. I respect opponents' playing styles. While it differs from our philosophy, I comprehend and embrace it.”
Accepting low blocks isn’t really a choice for PSG; this is their regular experience, due to the quality difference created by budget inequality. Their talent usually tells and the low-block is unlocked with different levels of challenge. But it has been tougher this season.
Control of the Ball But Poor Returns
The Parisians have maintained nearly three-quarters of possession in the French league so far this term. Versus Nice last weekend, they had dominant ball control and made 760 passes, versus just 182 for Nice. At the interval, Vitinha had numerous ball contacts – merely six short than the complete opposition side – but PSG couldn't translate superiority into goals. At halftime, Nice defender Juma Bah, whose header was cleared off the line by a PSG player, had been the most dangerous.
This match wasn't an exception. They had shared points in three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. With 71% ball control against Strasbourg, but were reliant on a late Senny Mayulu equaliser to salvage a point. Even with dominant control against Lorient in midweek, they only scored once and were finally tied. Approximately 33% of the way into the season, PSG are only the fifth top scorers in Ligue 1 – behind Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg.
Forward Line Problems
It is a result of the particular attention that PSG garner, but also shows a serious concern. Their goal scorers are underperforming. Their star forward's 29 strikes last season aided in securing Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Another attacker scored 14 goals in the league; Désiré Doué hit 16 across all tournaments; and The Georgian international scored eight after his winter transfer.
He received the prestigious award and, while it is debatable that the France international is indeed the world's top footballer, it is difficult to argue that he was not the outstanding individual of the last season. He's recorded merely five strikes in 12 appearances this season. He experienced a muscle problem while on country representation in September, which led to a dispute between PSG and the France team that has seen the connection between club and country decline. The player was absent for around a month and a half of action as a result, but he hasn't fully recovered. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen touching his muscle. “The pain is intense,” he told club colleague.
Fitness Issues
Luis Enrique says Dembélé will be fit to face Bayern Munich this week in the continental tournament but, while he regains his form, squad members need to perform. It won’t be Doué. The promising talent was also hurt in September. He was recovering to his best when he was affected by another muscle issue, which is expected to rule him out until the new year. Kvaratskhelia is a massive asset to his team but he often reserves his top displays for the important matches in the continental competition; he is yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Barcola, PSG’s leading marksman in all competitions this season, has just one score in his last eight games and is in a goal drought. A player who scores in bursts, the form will certainly come back, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack.
Their center forward found the match-winner against Nice but will he maintain his position in the team?
That was the job given to their striker when he signed in last year. The international forward reached the milestone of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has been a substitute in more than half of those appearances. Recording 18 of his 38 goals after entering as a replacement, he has very much assumed the role of the “super-sub”, partially due to his limited contribution when selected, but mainly owing to his coach's hesitation to begin with a traditional striker. “What explains my bench scoring record? Well, simply because I come off the bench more than I start,” remarked Ramos after the match.
Turning Point
With the goals drying up across the forward line, the match-winning strike has given his coach something to consider. The centre-forward missed three chances before converting his next and securing the victory, but the fact that the team's clearest openings were created for him is telling. He's a natural goal scorer and that is what PSG were investing in when they paid substantial money. “He's a crucial squad member for us because he is always ready for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said the manager. “Short cameos from the striker are valuable time.” It may be time for the bench specialist 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 |
| 11 |
