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“It’s both beautiful and frustrating,” says the team's head coach. The French club's coach has a complicated relationship with how his club's league matches play out. When PSG are involved, one team goes forward and the other sits back. “Breaking down deep defenses appeals to me,” he maintains. “I have the most experience with this tactical scenario. I am very respectful of how other teams play. 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, because of the quality difference created by economic disparity. Their talent usually tells and the low-block is unlocked with varying degrees of difficulty. However, this campaign has been more challenging.

Game Dominance Yet Insufficient Output

The French champions have recorded nearly three-quarters of possession in France's top flight so far this campaign. Facing Nice in their recent match, they had over 76% possession and made 760 passes, compared to just 182 for Nice. At the interval, their playmaker had 90 contacts with the ball – only six less than the entire Nice team – but PSG couldn't translate superiority into goals. When the first period ended, the visiting team's defender, whose close-range effort was saved by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had been the most dangerous.

This performance wasn't isolated. They had shared points in 75% of their recent Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against their opponents, but were reliant on a dying moments Senny Mayulu equaliser to earn a draw. Although possessing 77% of the ball against Lorient in midweek, they only scored once and were unable to win. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are ranked fifth for goals in Ligue 1 – behind multiple domestic rivals.

Forward Line Struggles

This reflects the unique approach that PSG attract, but also indicates a genuine problem. Their attackers are struggling. Ousmane Dembélé’s 29 scores last season helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Bradley Barcola scored 14 occasions in the league; The talented youngster hit 16 across all tournaments; and Their winter signing scored eight after his winter transfer.

The forward claimed the Ballon d’Or and, while it is debatable that the French star is indeed the best player in the world, it is difficult to argue that he was not the best player of the 2024-25 campaign. He's recorded merely five scores in 12 appearances this season. He encountered a thigh issue while on international duty in early autumn, which led to a conflict between PSG and the French federation that has seen the relationship between the two institutions decline. The player was absent for around a month and a half of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. Post-match against their rivals, he was seen touching his muscle. “It's very painful,” he told fellow player Hakimi.

Fitness Issues

The PSG coach says Dembélé will be fit to face their European opponents this week in the Champions League but, while he regains his form, other players have to step up. Unfortunately, Doué cannot help. The former Rennes forward was also sidelined in September. He was returning to his best when he was struck down with another leg problem, which is projected to sideline him until January. Kvaratskhelia is a massive asset to his team but he often excels mainly for the big occasions in the European stage; he is still without a goal in Ligue 1 this season. Barcola, PSG’s highest goal-getter in all competitions this season, has just a single strike in his last eight games and is in a dry spell. An attacker with hot streaks, the form will certainly come back, 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?

These were the expectations assigned to Gonçalo Ramos when he arrived in recently. The Portugal striker hit the century of 100 games for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in over 50% of those appearances. Having scored 18 of his 38 goals after being introduced from the bench, he has clearly taken on the role of the “super-sub”, partially due to his ineffectiveness when selected, but primarily because of his manager’s reluctance to start with a conventional No 9. “How come I score frequently as a substitute? Well, simply because I come off the bench more than I start,” remarked Ramos after the match.

Decisive Period

With their attack struggling across the attacking unit, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his boss decisions to make. Their number nine missed three chances before taking his fourth and securing the victory, but the fact that their prime opportunities were created for him is telling. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were investing in when they paid substantial money. “He's a crucial squad member for us because he is continuously available for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said their coach. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are productive periods.” Perhaps now is the opportunity for the super-sub to play a starring role.

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

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
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