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“It’s a mix of beauty and frustration,” remarks the PSG manager. The French club's coach has a tricky relationship with how his team’s league matches play out. In PSG's matches, one team attacks and the other sits back. “I like attacking a low block,” he maintains. “This is the game situation I know best. I am very respectful of how other teams play. It is a different kind of football from ours, it’s atypical, but I understand and accept it.”

Dealing with deep defenses is unavoidable for PSG; this is their regular experience, because of the talent imbalance created by financial imbalance. Their superior ability generally prevails and the low-block is unlocked with mixed ease. Yet this term has proven more difficult.

Control of the Ball Yet Insufficient Returns

The Parisians have maintained nearly three-quarters of possession in the French league so far this season. Versus Nice last weekend, they had 76.5% of the ball and made numerous passes, compared to just 182 for Nice. At the interval, Vitinha had 90 touches of the ball – merely six short than the entire Nice team – but PSG failed to convert their control. When the first period ended, Nice defender Juma Bah, whose goal-bound attempt was blocked by a PSG player, had come closest to scoring.

This performance wasn't isolated. PSG had drawn 75% of their recent Ligue 1 games. With 71% ball control against their opponents, but were needing a late tying goal from Mayulu to earn a draw. Even with 77% possession against their midweek opponents in midweek, they found the net only once and were unable to win. Nearly a third of the way into the season, PSG are ranked fifth for goals in Ligue 1 – after several other French clubs.

Attacking Unit Problems

This reflects the special treatment that PSG attract, but also reflects a real issue. Their attackers are struggling. Their star forward's 29 scores last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Bradley Barcola scored 14 times in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 total goals; and Kvaratskhelia scored eight after his mid-season arrival.

Dembélé won the Ballon d’Or and, while it is contestable that the national team player is indeed the global standout, it is difficult to argue that he was not the outstanding individual of the previous term. He's managed only five strikes in 12 appearances this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on international duty in September, which led to a conflict between PSG and the French federation that has seen the connection between club and country worsen. He was unavailable for around several weeks of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. Following the victory against Nice, he was seen clutching his hamstring. “It's very painful,” he told fellow player Hakimi.

Player Availability

Luis Enrique says their star can play to face the German giants this week in the Champions League but, while he gets back up to speed, teammates must contribute. It won’t be Doué. The promising talent was also hurt in September. He was just getting back to his best when he was struck down with another leg problem, which is expected to rule him out until next month. The Georgian is a massive asset to his team but he often excels mainly 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 a single strike in his last eight matches and is in a goal drought. An attacker with hot streaks, the scoring will surely resume, but he shouldn't be relied upon to be the goalscorer in this costly PSG attack.

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

This was the role given to Gonçalo Ramos when he joined in recently. The Portugal striker hit the century of 100 games for PSG against Nice, but he has started on the sidelines in more than half of those appearances. With a significant portion after coming on as a substitute, he has very much assumed the role of the “super-sub”, partially due to his limited contribution when picked, but primarily because of his coach's hesitation to begin with a out-and-out forward. “What explains my bench scoring record? Basically because I'm substituted in more often than I begin games,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Turning Point

As scoring has decreased across the forward line, the match-winning strike has given his coach something to consider. The striker failed to convert several opportunities before taking his fourth and deciding the game, but the fact that the team's clearest openings fell to him is telling. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were buying when they made a significant investment. “He is a very important player 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 valuable time.” It may be time for the impact substitute to play a leading part.

French League 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

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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