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“It’s both beautiful and frustrating,” says the team's head coach. The PSG boss has a complicated relationship with how his squad's league matches play out. When PSG are involved, one team attacks and the other defends. “I like attacking a low block,” 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 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 defensive wall is broken with mixed ease. But it has been tougher this season.

Game Dominance However Insufficient Results

The French champions have recorded nearly three-quarters of possession in Ligue 1 so far this term. Against Nice on Saturday, they had 76.5% of the ball and made numerous passes, against just under 200 for their opponents. By half-time, Vitinha had 90 touches of the ball – just six fewer than the entire Nice team – but PSG struggled to make their domination tell. When the first period ended, the visiting team's defender, whose close-range effort was saved by a PSG player, had come closest to scoring.

This match wasn't an exception. The Parisians had tied three of their previous four Ligue 1 games. They had 71% possession against their opponents, but were dependent on a last-minute Mayulu leveler to salvage a point. And, despite having 77% of the ball against their midweek opponents in midweek, they managed just one goal and were unable to win. Approximately 33% of the way into the season, PSG are ranked fifth for goals in Ligue 1 – trailing Marseille, Lille, Monaco and Strasbourg.

Strike Force Problems

This reflects the special treatment that PSG attract, but also reflects a genuine problem. Their attackers are struggling. Their star forward's 29 scores last season helped PSG win Ligue 1 and the European Cup; Another attacker scored 14 occasions in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 total goals; and Their winter signing scored eight goals after his mid-season arrival.

The forward claimed the golden ball and, while it is arguable that the national team player is indeed the best player in the world, it is challenging to deny that he was not the best player of the previous term. He's managed only five strikes in 12 games this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on international duty in last month, which led to a conflict between PSG and the France team that has seen the ties between both parties deteriorate. 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. “The pain is intense,” he told teammate Achraf Hakimi.

Injury Concerns

Luis Enrique says their star can play to face their European opponents this week in the European competition but, while he returns to full fitness, other players have to step up. Unfortunately, Doué cannot help. The former Rennes forward was also sidelined in the same month. He was just getting back to his best when he was suffered another leg problem, which is likely to keep him out until the new year. The Georgian is a massive asset to his team but he often saves his best performances for the important matches in the European stage; he is goalless so far in Ligue 1 this season. Barcola, PSG’s highest goal-getter in all competitions this season, has just one score in his last eight matches 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.

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

These were the expectations handed to the Portuguese when he arrived in last year. The international forward achieved the landmark of 100 matches for PSG against Nice, but he has been a substitute in more than half of those appearances. With nearly half his total after coming on as a substitute, he has clearly taken on the role of the “finisher”, partly because of his lack of impact when starting, but mainly owing to his coach's hesitation to begin with a traditional striker. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? The simple reason is I come off the bench more than I start,” remarked Ramos after the match.

Decisive Period

With their attack struggling across the forward line, the match-winning strike has given his coach something to consider. The striker failed to convert several opportunities before converting his next and securing the victory, but the fact that their prime opportunities came to him is telling. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were acquiring when they paid substantial money. “He's a crucial squad member for us because he is continuously available for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said Luis Enrique. “Short cameos from the striker are quality minutes.” The moment might have come for the bench specialist to play a leading part.

French League 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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