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“It’s both beautiful and frustrating,” says the PSG manager. The Paris Saint-Germain manager has a complex relationship with how his squad's league matches develop. When PSG are involved, one team attacks and the other protects. “I enjoy facing defensive setups,” he maintains. “It is the phase of play that I am most familiar with. I respect opponents' playing styles. Though unconventional compared to our style, I acknowledge and welcome it.”

Dealing with deep defenses isn’t really a choice for PSG; it's their constant situation, due to the talent imbalance created by financial imbalance. Their talent usually tells and the resistance is overcome with different levels of challenge. But it has been tougher this season.

Control of the Ball But Limited Output

The Parisians have maintained 72.5% possession in the French league so far this campaign. Against Nice on Saturday, they had over 76% possession and made numerous passes, against just 182 for Nice. At the interval, the Portuguese midfielder had numerous ball contacts – merely six short than the whole Nice squad – 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 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, had nearly scored.

This performance wasn't isolated. PSG had drawn 75% of their recent Ligue 1 games. Dominating possession with 71% against their opponents, but were needing a dying moments tying goal from Mayulu to earn a draw. And, despite having 77% of the ball against another French side in midweek, they managed just one goal and were finally tied. Almost one third of the way into the season, PSG are just fifth in scoring in Ligue 1 – behind several other French clubs.

Strike Force Issues

This stems from the special treatment that PSG attract, but also indicates a real issue. Their forwards are not scoring. The French international's 29 goals last season contributed to PSG's Ligue 1 and the continental trophy; A young forward scored 14 goals in the league; Another offensive player hit 16 in all competitions; and Their winter signing scored eight goals after his winter transfer.

The forward claimed the Ballon d’Or and, while it is debatable that the French star is indeed the best player in the world, it is challenging to deny that he was not the top performer of the last season. He's managed only five goals in 12 matches this season. He suffered a hamstring injury while on country representation in early autumn, which led to a dispute between PSG and the France team that has seen the relationship between the two institutions 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 touching his muscle. “It's very painful,” he told club colleague.

Player Availability

The PSG coach says the forward should be available to face Bayern Munich this week in the European competition but, while he returns to full fitness, squad members need to perform. Unfortunately, Doué cannot help. The young attacker was also sidelined in September. He was recovering to his best when he was suffered another muscle issue, which is expected to rule him out until next month. Kvaratskhelia is a important contributor to his team but he often excels mainly for the big occasions in the continental competition; he is yet to score in Ligue 1 this season. Another forward, PSG’s highest goal-getter in all competitions this season, has just one goal in his last eight games and is in a goal drought. A player who scores in bursts, the form will certainly come back, but he shouldn't be relied upon to be the goalscorer in this high-priced PSG attack.

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

This was the role handed to Gonçalo Ramos when he joined in recently. The international forward reached the milestone of 100 appearances for PSG against Nice, but he has started on the sidelines in the majority of those appearances. Recording nearly half his total after entering as a replacement, he has clearly taken on the role of the “finisher”, partially due to his lack of impact when selected, but mostly due to his coach's hesitation to begin with a conventional No 9. “How come I score frequently as a substitute? The simple reason is my appearances are mainly from the bench,” quipped Ramos after the match.

Decisive Period

With the goals drying up across the attacking unit, Ramos’ last-gasp winner has given his coach something to consider. The striker missed three chances before scoring his final and deciding the game, but the fact that PSG’s best chances came to him is significant. His finishing is instinctive and that is what PSG were investing in when they made a significant investment. “His role is vital for us because he is continuously available for every match, even if he begins on the bench,” said the manager. “Even brief appearances from Gonçalo are valuable time.” The moment might have come for the impact substitute to play a major part.

French League Matches

• 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
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