🔗 Share this article Paris Saint-Germain Confront an Uncommon Issue: Scoring Lack in French Ligue 1 “The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” remarks the PSG manager. The PSG boss has a complicated relationship with how his squad's league matches unfold. When PSG are involved, one team presses and the other protects. “I like attacking a low block,” 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 optional for PSG; it's their constant situation, because of the skill gap created by budget inequality. Their superior ability generally prevails and the low-block is unlocked with different levels of challenge. However, this campaign has been more challenging. Dominant Possession Yet Insufficient Output The Parisians have maintained 72.5% possession in Ligue 1 so far this campaign. Facing Nice in their recent match, they had dominant ball control and made numerous passes, compared to just under 200 for their opponents. Before the break, their playmaker had numerous ball contacts – just six fewer than the whole Nice squad – but PSG failed to convert their control. When the first period ended, opposition defender Bah, whose close-range effort was saved by a PSG player, had nearly scored. This performance wasn't isolated. PSG had drawn three out of four Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against their opponents, but were dependent on a dying moments Mayulu leveler to salvage a point. Although possessing dominant control against another French side in midweek, they managed just one goal and were ultimately held to a draw. Almost one third of the way into the season, PSG are only the fifth top scorers in Ligue 1 – behind Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg. Forward Line Issues This reflects the special treatment that PSG receive, but also indicates a serious concern. Their attackers are struggling. Their star forward's 29 goals last season aided in securing Ligue 1 and the European Cup; A young forward scored 14 goals in the league; The talented youngster hit 16 in all competitions; and The Georgian international scored several times after his winter transfer. Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or and, while it is arguable that the national team player is indeed the global standout, it is difficult to argue that he was not the best player of the last season. He has just five strikes in 12 games this season. He experienced a hamstring injury while on international duty in September, which led to a blame game between PSG and the French federation that has seen the ties between both parties decline. He was unavailable for around several weeks of action as a result, but he appears below his best. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen touching his muscle. “It hurts so much,” he told club colleague. Player Availability Luis Enrique says their star can play to face the German giants this week in the European competition but, while he regains his form, other players have to step up. It won’t be Doué. The former Rennes forward was also hurt in the same month. He was recovering to his best when he was affected by another leg problem, which is likely to keep him out until next month. Their winger 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 score in his last eight appearances and is in a fallow period. An attacker with hot streaks, the scoring will surely resume, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack. Gonçalo Ramos found the match-winner against Nice but will he keep his place in the team? That was the job given to the Portuguese when he signed in 2023. The international forward reached the milestone of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has started on the sidelines in the majority of those appearances. Recording nearly half his total after coming on as a substitute, he has clearly taken on the role of the “impact player”, somewhat owing to his ineffectiveness when selected, but mainly owing to his manager’s reluctance to start with a conventional No 9. “How come I score frequently as a substitute? Well, simply because I'm substituted in more often than I begin games,” remarked Ramos after the match. Turning Point As scoring has decreased across the frontline, the match-winning strike has given his boss decisions to make. Their number nine missed three chances before converting his next and deciding the game, but the fact that their prime opportunities fell to him is revealing. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were buying when they made a significant investment. “His role is vital for us because he is always ready for every match, whether he starts or not,” said Luis Enrique. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are quality minutes.” It may be time for the super-sub to play a starring role. Ligue 1 Matches 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