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“The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” remarks Luis Enrique. The French club's coach has a complex relationship with how his team’s league matches develop. Whenever the Parisians play, one team attacks and the other sits back. “Breaking down deep defenses appeals to me,” he maintains. “This is the game situation I know best. I appreciate the diversity of football approaches. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Facing defensive teams isn’t really a choice for PSG; it is simply their reality, a result of the talent imbalance created by budget inequality. Their superior ability generally prevails and the defensive wall is broken with mixed ease. Yet this term has proven more difficult.

Game Dominance But Insufficient Returns

The French champions have recorded 72.5% possession in the French league so far this term. Against Nice on Saturday, they had 76.5% of the ball and made over 750 passes, against just Nice's 182. By half-time, the Portuguese midfielder had 90 touches of the ball – merely six short than the complete opposition side – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. At halftime, Nice defender Juma Bah, whose close-range effort was saved by his teammate, had been the most dangerous.

This match wasn't an exception. PSG had drawn three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against Strasbourg, but were reliant on a last-minute Mayulu leveler to earn a draw. Although possessing 77% possession against their midweek opponents in midweek, they only scored once and were ultimately held to a draw. Approximately 33% of the way into the season, PSG are ranked fifth for goals in Ligue 1 – behind Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg.

Attacking Unit Struggles

It is a result of the particular attention that PSG attract, but also reflects a genuine problem. Their forwards are not scoring. The French international's 29 strikes last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the European Cup; Another attacker scored 14 times in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 total goals; and Their winter signing scored several times after his January move.

He received the golden ball and, while it is debatable that the French star is indeed the world's top footballer, it is challenging to deny that he was not the outstanding individual of the 2024-25 campaign. He's recorded merely five scores in 12 matches this season. He experienced a thigh issue while on international duty in September, which gave rise to a conflict between PSG and the national squad that has seen the connection between club and country worsen. He was unavailable for around six weeks of action as a result, but he hasn't fully recovered. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen clutching his hamstring. “It's very painful,” he told teammate Achraf Hakimi.

Player Availability

Their manager says the forward should be available to face the German giants this week in the European competition but, while he returns to full fitness, squad members need to perform. It won’t be Doué. The promising talent was also injured in the same month. He was returning to his best when he was suffered another leg problem, which is projected to sideline him until the new year. The Georgian is a massive asset to his team but he often saves his best performances for the crucial games in the European stage; he is yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Another forward, PSG’s highest goal-getter in all competitions this season, has just one goal in his last eight matches and is in a fallow period. An attacker with hot streaks, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this costly PSG attack.

The Portuguese striker scored the winner against Nice but will he remain in the lineup in the team?

That was the job given to Gonçalo Ramos when he arrived in last year. Their number nine achieved the landmark of 100 appearances for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in the majority of those appearances. Recording a significant portion after entering as a replacement, he has effectively embraced the role of the “super-sub”, partly because of his lack of impact when selected, but primarily because of his manager’s reluctance to field a traditional striker. “What explains my bench scoring record? Well, simply because my appearances are mainly from the bench,” remarked Ramos after the match.

Critical Moment

With the goals drying up across the attacking unit, his late decisive goal has given his boss decisions to make. The striker was unsuccessful with earlier attempts before scoring his final and securing the victory, but the fact that PSG’s best chances were created for him is revealing. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were acquiring when they paid substantial money. “His role is vital for us because he is continuously available for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said the manager. “Five minutes of Gonçalo on the pitch are productive periods.” It may be time 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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