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“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” remarks the PSG manager. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a complex relationship with how his squad's league matches develop. When PSG are involved, one team attacks and the other sits back. “I like attacking a low block,” he insists. “It is the phase of play that I am most familiar with. I am very respectful of how other teams play. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Accepting low blocks isn’t really a choice for PSG; this is their regular experience, a result of the skill gap created by financial imbalance. Their superior ability generally prevails and the low-block is unlocked with varying degrees of difficulty. But it has been tougher this season.

Dominant Possession However Poor Returns

The French champions have recorded over 72% ball control in the French league so far this season. Versus Nice last weekend, they had 76.5% of the ball and made 760 passes, compared to just under 200 for their opponents. At the interval, their playmaker had numerous ball contacts – just six fewer than the whole Nice squad – but PSG failed to convert their control. At halftime, opposition defender Bah, whose header was cleared off the line by his teammate, had been the most dangerous.

This match wasn't an exception. The Parisians had tied three out of four Ligue 1 games. With 71% ball control against their opponents, but were reliant on a last-minute tying goal from Mayulu to secure one point. And, despite having 77% of the ball against Lorient in midweek, they found the net only once and were finally tied. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are only the fifth top scorers in Ligue 1 – after several other French clubs.

Forward Line Issues

This reflects the special treatment that PSG garner, but also reflects a serious concern. Their attackers are struggling. Ousmane Dembélé’s 29 scores last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the European Cup; Bradley Barcola scored 14 times in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 in all competitions; and Their winter signing scored eight after his January move.

The forward claimed the prestigious award and, while it is contestable that the national team player is indeed the world's top footballer, it is challenging to deny that he was not the top performer of the last season. He has just five scores in 12 games this season. He experienced a muscle problem while on international duty in early autumn, which gave rise to a conflict between PSG and the national squad that has seen the connection between club and country deteriorate. He was unavailable for around several weeks of action as a result, but he hasn't fully recovered. Post-match against their rivals, he was seen holding his thigh. “It's very painful,” he told fellow player Hakimi.

Player Availability

Their manager says Dembélé will be fit to face their European opponents this week in the Champions League but, while he regains his form, 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 leg problem, which is expected to rule him out until January. Their winger is a valuable player 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 a single strike in his last eight matches and is in a goal drought. An attacker with hot streaks, the form will certainly come back, but he shouldn't be relied upon to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack.

The Portuguese striker got the decisive goal against Nice but will he remain in the lineup in the team?

These were the expectations given to their striker when he signed in 2023. The Portugal striker hit the century of 100 games for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in the majority of those appearances. Having scored 18 of his 38 goals after being introduced from the bench, he has very much assumed the role of the “super-sub”, partially due to his ineffectiveness when selected, but mostly due to his coach's hesitation to begin with a traditional striker. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? Well, simply because I'm substituted in more often than I begin games,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Turning Point

With the goals drying up across the frontline, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his coach something to consider. Their number nine failed to convert several opportunities before converting his next and securing the victory, but the fact that their prime opportunities came to him is telling. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were buying when they made a significant investment. “He's a crucial squad member for us because he is continuously available for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said Luis Enrique. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are quality minutes.” The moment might have come for the bench specialist to play a leading part.

Domestic Competition Outcomes

• 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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