Paris Saint-Germain discover themselves in acquainted territory following their midweek defeat in opposition to Bayern Munich, as a facet that’s too sturdy for its home rivals in France struggles within the Champions League.
There may be maybe a distinction this time, nevertheless — whereas PSG have usually not lived as much as their potential in Europe, this season they seem merely nowhere close to nearly as good as the perfect groups on the continent.
Luis Enrique’s facet supplied little attacking menace in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss in Munich, wherein goalkeeper Matfei Safonov was at fault for the aim and Ousmane Dembele was despatched off.
PSG have simply 4 factors and have suffered three defeats in 5 video games within the Champions League, that means they sit twenty fifth out of 36 groups.
That leaves them one place and two factors exterior the qualifying spots for February’s knockout part play-offs, and they’re going to absolutely must win at the least two of their three remaining matches to keep away from elimination.
Such a fragile place means Luis Enrique is of course within the firing line, with doubts surrounding his ways — “The tactic with none impact,” learn one headline in sports activities day by day L’Equipe on Thursday.
Particularly, his penchant for enjoying with out a centre-forward for the reason that departure of Kylian Mbappe and the lack of Goncalo Ramos to harm.
Randal Kolo Muani, a big-money signing who was anticipated to step up following Mbappe’s exit, has develop into an outcast.
A France common, Kolo Muani has began simply twice all season for PSG and didn’t come off the bench in opposition to Bayern.
But Paris have scored solely three objectives in 5 Champions League matches, considered one of which was an personal aim.
“To be the coach of PSG is a privilege. The strain I placed on myself is bigger than any exterior strain,” Luis Enrique stated in Munich.
“I’m not right here simply to move the time. My goal is to win titles and to take action now, not sooner or later.”
PSG are on track to do this domestically, as they’re unbeaten in Ligue 1 and 6 factors away from nearest challengers Monaco earlier than internet hosting struggling Nantes this weekend.
At residence they common three objectives a recreation with Bradley Barcola their main marksman on 10. They’ve misplaced simply considered one of their final 41 Ligue 1 matches.
France’s different Champions League representatives — Monaco, Lille and Brest — are all doing properly in Europe however it’s not an incredible search for Ligue 1 that PSG proceed to cruise at residence whereas toiling overseas.
The present classic is possibly the weakest PSG facet for the reason that first season of the Qatari takeover in 2011/12, with the doable exception of 2016/17.
That latter marketing campaign adopted Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure and was previous to the arrivals on the Parc des Princes of Neymar and Mbappe.
Monaco pipped PSG to the title that 12 months, and seem the probably menace to their hegemony once more this time.
Participant to observe: Hamed Junior Traore
The 24-year-old Ivorian attacking midfielder is unquestionably the signing of the season up to now in Ligue 1.
Traore joined Auxerre on mortgage from Bournemouth after spending the second half of final season at Napoli. And he’s the principle purpose why newly-promoted Auxerre sit a lofty seventh a 3rd of the best way via the season.
He has six objectives in 10 Ligue 1 appearances, together with a last-gasp winner in opposition to Angers final weekend.
Another in opposition to Toulouse on Sunday and he’ll match his best-ever tally for a single league season, of seven for Sassuolo in Italy in 2021/22.
Key stats
7 – Brest have suffered as many defeats in Ligue 1 this season as in the entire of the final marketing campaign.
300 – PSG captain Marquinhos may make his three hundredth Ligue 1 look this weekend.
3 – Marseille have conceded three objectives in every of their final two residence video games. They haven’t achieved so in three successive residence top-flight video games since 1962.
Fixtures (occasions GMT)
Friday
Reims v Lens (1945)
Saturday
Rennes v Saint-Etienne (1600), Brest v Strasbourg (1800), Paris Saint-Germain v Nantes (2000)
Sunday
Montpellier v Lille (1400), Lyon v Good, Toulouse v Auxerre, Le Havre v Angers (all 1600), Marseille v Monaco (1945)
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