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“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” states Luis Enrique. The PSG boss has a complicated relationship with how his club's league matches develop. In PSG's matches, one team presses and the other sits back. “I enjoy facing defensive setups,” he insists. “This is the game situation I know best. I am very respectful of how other teams play. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Dealing with deep defenses isn't optional for PSG; it's their constant situation, because of the quality difference created by budget inequality. Their quality typically shines through and the resistance is overcome with mixed ease. But it has been tougher this season.

Dominant Possession But Poor Output

The Parisians have maintained nearly three-quarters of possession in Ligue 1 so far this term. Facing Nice in their recent match, they had dominant ball control and made 760 passes, versus just under 200 for their opponents. At the interval, Vitinha had 90 contacts with the ball – just six fewer than the complete opposition side – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. When the whistle blew for the interval, Nice defender Juma Bah, whose close-range effort was saved by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had been the most dangerous.

This match wasn't an exception. The Parisians had tied three out of four Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against the visiting team, but were dependent on a late Mayulu leveler to earn a draw. And, despite having dominant control against their midweek opponents in midweek, they managed just one goal and were finally tied. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are just fifth in scoring in Ligue 1 – behind multiple domestic rivals.

Strike Force Struggles

This stems from the unique approach that PSG attract, but also reflects a serious concern. Their attackers are struggling. Ousmane Dembélé’s 29 scores last season helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Another attacker scored 14 occasions in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 across all tournaments; and Their winter signing scored several times after his mid-season arrival.

The forward claimed the prestigious award and, while it is arguable that the France international is indeed the best player in the world, it is hard to dispute that he was not the best player of the previous term. He has just five scores in 12 appearances this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on country representation in last month, which gave rise to a conflict between PSG and the national squad that has seen the relationship between the two institutions worsen. Dembélé missed around six weeks of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen touching his muscle. “The pain is intense,” he told teammate Achraf Hakimi.

Injury Concerns

The PSG coach says the forward should be available to face their European opponents this week in the continental tournament but, while he gets back up to speed, teammates must contribute. Unfortunately, Doué cannot help. The promising talent was also sidelined in September. He was recovering to his best when he was affected by another leg problem, which is likely to keep him out until the new year. Kvaratskhelia is a massive asset to his team but he often saves his best performances for the big occasions in the European stage; he is still without a goal in Ligue 1 this season. Their current top scorer, PSG’s leading marksman in all competitions this season, has just one score in his last eight matches and is in a dry spell. A player who scores in bursts, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this expensively assembled PSG attack.

Gonçalo Ramos found the match-winner against Nice but will he maintain his position in the team?

This was the role given to Gonçalo Ramos when he joined in 2023. Their number nine hit the century of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in more than half of those appearances. Recording 18 of his 38 goals after coming on as a substitute, he has effectively embraced the role of the “impact player”, partly because of his limited contribution when picked, but primarily because of his coach's hesitation to field a out-and-out forward. “How come I score frequently as a substitute? The simple reason is my appearances are mainly from the bench,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Turning Point

As scoring has decreased across the attacking unit, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his manager food for thought. The centre-forward was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before scoring his final and winning the match, but the fact that PSG’s best chances came to him is significant. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were acquiring when they paid substantial money. “He's a crucial squad member for us because he is always ready for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said their coach. “Five minutes of Gonçalo on the pitch are quality minutes.” The moment might have come for the impact substitute to play a major part.

Domestic Competition 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

League Standings

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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