Paris Saint-Germain Face an Uncommon Challenge: Scoring Drought in Ligue 1

“It’s both beautiful and frustrating,” remarks Luis Enrique. The PSG boss has a complex relationship with how his club's league matches play out. When PSG are involved, one team attacks and the other defends. “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. 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 skill gap created by economic disparity. Their talent usually tells and the defensive wall is broken with varying degrees of difficulty. But it has been tougher this season.

Control of the Ball Yet Insufficient Results

PSG have averaged 72.5% possession in Ligue 1 so far this campaign. Versus Nice last weekend, they had dominant ball control and made over 750 passes, compared to just 182 for Nice. Before the break, Vitinha had 90 contacts with the ball – just six fewer than the whole Nice squad – but PSG couldn't translate superiority into goals. At halftime, opposition defender Bah, whose header was cleared off the line by a PSG player, had nearly scored.

This performance wasn't isolated. The Parisians had tied three out of four Ligue 1 games. Dominating possession with 71% against their opponents, but were reliant on a dying moments Senny Mayulu equaliser to earn a draw. Even with 77% possession against their midweek opponents in midweek, they only scored 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 – behind multiple domestic rivals.

Strike Force Struggles

This reflects the special treatment that PSG receive, but also reflects a serious concern. Their forwards are not scoring. Their star forward's 29 strikes last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; Bradley Barcola scored 14 goals in the league; The talented youngster hit 16 in all competitions; and Kvaratskhelia scored eight goals after his mid-season arrival.

The forward claimed the prestigious award and, while it is arguable that the national team player is indeed the best player in the world, it is hard to dispute that he was not the top performer of the 2024-25 campaign. He's recorded merely five goals in 12 games this season. He suffered a muscle problem while on country representation in early autumn, which caused a dispute between PSG and the French federation that has seen the connection between club and country deteriorate. Dembélé missed around a month and a half of action as a result, but he still doesn’t look right. After the win over Nice, he was seen clutching his hamstring. “It's very painful,” he told club colleague.

Player Availability

Their manager says the forward should be available to face Bayern Munich this week in the Champions League but, while he gets back up to speed, squad members need to perform. 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 affected by another muscle issue, which is projected to sideline him until the new year. Their winger is a important contributor to his team but he often excels mainly for the important matches in the Champions League; he is goalless so far in Ligue 1 this season. Their current top scorer, PSG’s top scorer in all competitions this season, has just a single strike in his last eight appearances and is in a fallow period. A player who scores in bursts, the goals will undoubtedly return, but he can’t be expected to be the goalscorer in this expensively assembled PSG attack.

Their center forward found the match-winner against Nice but will he maintain his position in the team?

That was the job assigned to Gonçalo Ramos when he signed in recently. The Portugal striker 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 “finisher”, somewhat owing to his limited contribution when selected, but mostly due to his boss's unwillingness to begin with a out-and-out forward. “Why do I score so many goals off the bench? Well, simply because I come off the bench more than I start,” remarked Ramos after the match.

Turning Point

With the goals drying up across the forward line, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his coach something to consider. Their number nine missed three chances before converting his next and deciding the game, but the fact that the team's clearest openings came to him is revealing. He’s an instinctive poacher and that is what PSG were acquiring when they made a significant investment. “His role is vital for us because he is continuously available for every match, regardless of his starting status,” said their coach. “Short cameos from the striker are quality minutes.” It may be time for the bench specialist to play a starring role.

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

League Standings