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“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” remarks the team's head coach. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a complex relationship with how his club's league matches play out. When PSG are involved, one team goes forward and the other sits back. “I like attacking a low block,” he asserts. “I have the most experience with this tactical scenario. I appreciate the diversity of football approaches. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Facing defensive teams is unavoidable for PSG; this is their regular experience, because of the talent imbalance created by budget inequality. Their quality typically shines through and the resistance is overcome with varying degrees of difficulty. However, this campaign has been more challenging.

Dominant Possession However Insufficient Results

The French champions have recorded nearly three-quarters of possession in the French league so far this campaign. Facing Nice in their recent match, they had 76.5% of the ball and made numerous passes, versus just under 200 for their opponents. Before the break, Vitinha had 90 touches of the ball – merely six short than the whole Nice squad – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. When the whistle blew for the interval, Nice defender Juma Bah, whose header was cleared off the line 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 their opponents, but were reliant on a dying moments tying goal from Mayulu to salvage a point. And, despite having dominant control against Lorient in midweek, they found the net only once and were unable to win. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are only the fifth top scorers in Ligue 1 – behind multiple domestic rivals.

Attacking Unit Issues

This reflects the particular attention that PSG garner, but also shows a genuine problem. Their attackers are struggling. Ousmane Dembélé’s 29 scores last season aided in securing Ligue 1 and the European Cup; Another attacker scored 14 times in the league; The talented youngster hit 16 in all competitions; and Their winter signing scored eight after his mid-season arrival.

He received the prestigious award and, while it is arguable that the French star is indeed the global standout, it is hard to dispute that he was not the best player of the previous term. He has just five scores in 12 matches this season. He suffered a hamstring injury while on country representation in early autumn, which led to a dispute between PSG and the France team that has seen the ties between both parties worsen. Dembélé missed around a month and a half of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen clutching his hamstring. “The pain is intense,” he told fellow player Hakimi.

Player Availability

Their manager says Dembélé will be fit to face the German giants this week in the Champions League but, while he gets back up to speed, teammates must contribute. Sadly, Doué is unavailable. The promising talent was also hurt in September. He was recovering to his best when he was affected by another muscle issue, which is likely to keep him out until the new year. Kvaratskhelia is a massive asset to his team but he often excels mainly for the important matches in the European stage; he is yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Another forward, PSG’s leading marksman in all competitions this season, has just one goal in his last eight games and is in a dry spell. An attacker with hot streaks, the form will certainly come back, but he isn't the solution to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack.

Their center forward got the decisive goal against Nice but will he maintain his position in the team?

That was the job given to the Portuguese when he signed in recently. The Portugal striker reached the milestone of 100 appearances for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in more than half of those appearances. With a significant portion after being introduced from the bench, he has very much assumed the role of the “finisher”, partially due to his limited contribution when picked, but mainly owing to his coach's hesitation to start with a conventional No 9. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? Basically because my appearances are mainly from the bench,” remarked Ramos after the match.

Decisive Period

With the goals drying up across the frontline, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his boss decisions to make. The striker failed to convert several opportunities before converting his next and securing the victory, but the fact that PSG’s best chances came to him is significant. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were investing in when they invested €65m. “He is a very important player for us because he is continuously available for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said their coach. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are productive periods.” Perhaps now is the opportunity for the bench specialist to play a leading part.

Domestic Competition 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

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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