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“It’s a mix of beauty and frustration,” states the team's head coach. The PSG boss has a complicated relationship with how his team’s league matches develop. Whenever the Parisians play, one team attacks and the other defends. “I like attacking a low block,” he insists. “I have the most experience with this tactical scenario. I appreciate the diversity of football approaches. While it differs from our philosophy, I comprehend and embrace it.”

Facing defensive teams is unavoidable for PSG; it is simply their reality, a result of the quality difference created by budget inequality. Their talent usually tells and the defensive wall is broken with different levels of challenge. But it has been tougher this season.

Control of the Ball Yet Insufficient Returns

The French champions have recorded over 72% ball control in Ligue 1 so far this campaign. Against Nice on Saturday, they had 76.5% of the ball and made numerous passes, against just Nice's 182. By half-time, the Portuguese midfielder had numerous ball contacts – merely six short than the entire Nice team – but PSG failed to convert their control. At halftime, the visiting team's defender, whose header was cleared off the line by his teammate, 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 last-minute Mayulu leveler to earn a draw. And, despite having 77% of the ball against another French side in midweek, they managed just one goal and were ultimately held to a draw. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are just fifth in scoring in Ligue 1 – trailing several other French clubs.

Strike Force Struggles

This reflects the unique approach that PSG garner, but also indicates a serious concern. Their attackers are struggling. Ousmane Dembélé’s 29 strikes last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Bradley Barcola scored 14 occasions in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 in all competitions; and The Georgian international scored eight after his January move.

The forward claimed the prestigious award and, while it is arguable that the national team player is indeed the global standout, it is difficult to argue that he was not the best player of the last season. He has just five scores in 12 games this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on international duty in early autumn, which caused a dispute between PSG and the French federation that has seen the relationship between the two institutions worsen. He was unavailable for around a month and a half of action as a result, but he hasn't fully recovered. Post-match against their rivals, he was seen holding his thigh. “The pain is intense,” he told teammate Achraf Hakimi.

Player Availability

Their manager says the forward should be available to face their European opponents this week in the European competition but, while he regains his form, teammates must contribute. Sadly, Doué is unavailable. The young attacker was also injured in recently. He was just getting back to his best when he was suffered another muscle issue, which is likely to keep him out until January. Their winger is a massive asset to his team but he often excels mainly for the big occasions in the Champions League; he is goalless so far in Ligue 1 this season. Another forward, PSG’s top scorer in all competitions this season, has just one score in his last eight games and is in a fallow period. An attacker with hot streaks, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he shouldn't be relied upon to be the goalscorer in this expensively assembled PSG attack.

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

These were the expectations assigned to the Portuguese when he joined in recently. Their number nine hit the century of 100 games for PSG against Nice, but he has come off the bench in the majority of those appearances. Recording a significant portion after being introduced from the bench, he has clearly taken on the role of the “impact player”, partially due to his lack of impact when selected, but mostly due to his boss's unwillingness to start with a out-and-out forward. “What explains my bench scoring record? Basically because I come off the bench more than I start,” joked 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. Their number nine failed to convert several opportunities before scoring his final and deciding the game, but the fact that PSG’s best chances were created for him is revealing. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were buying when they invested €65m. “He's a crucial squad member for us because he is constantly prepared for every match, whether he starts or not,” said Luis Enrique. “Short cameos from the striker are productive periods.” The moment might have come for the super-sub to play a starring role.

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

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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