🔗 Share this article PSG Face an Uncommon Challenge: Scoring Shortage in Ligue 1 “The situation is both pleasing and irritating,” says the PSG manager. The PSG boss has a tricky relationship with how his club's league matches unfold. In PSG's matches, one team presses and the other sits back. “I like attacking a low block,” he maintains. “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.” Accepting low blocks isn’t really a choice for PSG; this is their regular experience, because of the skill gap created by financial imbalance. Their quality typically shines through and the low-block is unlocked with mixed ease. Yet this term has proven more difficult. Dominant Possession Yet Insufficient Returns The Parisians have maintained nearly three-quarters of possession in France's top flight so far this campaign. Versus Nice last weekend, they had over 76% possession and made 760 passes, versus just under 200 for their opponents. At the interval, their playmaker had numerous ball contacts – only six less than the entire Nice team – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. When the whistle blew for the interval, opposition defender Bah, whose goal-bound attempt was blocked by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had come closest to scoring. This performance wasn't isolated. PSG had drawn three out of four Ligue 1 games. With 71% ball control against Strasbourg, but were reliant on a late tying goal from Mayulu to earn a draw. Even with dominant control against Lorient in midweek, they found the net only once 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 – trailing multiple domestic rivals. Forward Line Issues This stems from the unique approach that PSG attract, but also shows a real issue. Their forwards are not scoring. Their star forward's 29 strikes last season aided in securing Ligue 1 and the Champions League; A young forward scored 14 occasions in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 across all tournaments; and Their winter signing scored eight goals after his winter transfer. He received the Ballon d’Or and, while it is contestable that the national team player is indeed the global standout, it is challenging to deny that he was not the best player of the last season. He's recorded merely five strikes in 12 matches this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on international duty in last month, which caused a dispute between PSG and the national squad that has seen the connection between club and country worsen. The player was absent for around six weeks of action as a result, but he hasn't fully recovered. After the win over Nice, he was seen holding his thigh. “The pain is intense,” he told club colleague. Injury Concerns Their manager says their star can play to face their European opponents this week in the continental tournament but, while he regains his form, teammates must contribute. 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 thigh injury, which is projected to sideline him until next month. Their winger is a valuable player to his team but he often saves his best performances for the important matches in the continental competition; he is still without a goal in Ligue 1 this season. Barcola, PSG’s top scorer in all competitions this season, has just one score in his last eight matches and is in a goal drought. A player who scores in bursts, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack. The Portuguese striker found the match-winner against Nice but will he remain in the lineup in the team? This was the role handed to Gonçalo Ramos when he arrived in 2023. Their number nine reached the milestone of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in the majority of those appearances. With nearly half his total after entering as a replacement, he has clearly taken on the role of the “impact player”, partially due to his ineffectiveness when picked, but primarily because of his coach's hesitation to start with a out-and-out forward. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? Basically because I'm substituted in more often than I begin games,” remarked Ramos after the match. Decisive Period With their attack struggling across the forward line, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his coach something to consider. The centre-forward missed three chances before taking his fourth and deciding the game, but the fact that their prime opportunities were created for him is telling. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were buying when they invested €65m. “His role is vital for us because he is constantly prepared for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said the manager. “Five minutes of Gonçalo on the pitch are quality minutes.” It may be time for the super-sub 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 11