PSG’s Wastefulness in Front of Goal Raises Concerns for Champions League Ambitions
Luis Enrique’s frustration was evident as he watched his Paris Saint-Germain side miss numerous opportunities to score against Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final. Despite dominating the game, PSG failed to convert their chances, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel making a remarkable save to deny Ousmane Dembele. Fabian Ruiz and Dembele himself were also guilty of profligacy, while Kylian Mbappe and Achraf Hakimi hit the woodwork. The missed chances left PSG trailing 1-0 at the final whistle.
While wastefulness in front of goal has been rare for PSG this season, it highlights a nagging concern for the club. Their reliance on Mbappe to score goals is evident, and when he has an off-night, as he did in the quarter-final against Barcelona, it becomes problematic. Compounding the issue is the fact that Mbappe has announced his departure from the club, leaving PSG with the daunting task of finding a replacement for his goals.
Mbappe has been PSG’s top scorer this season, with 43 goals in 45 appearances. In the Champions League, he has scored 42% of the team’s goals in the knockout phase, the highest proportion of any team. While PSG have invested in other strikers, such as Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani, neither have lived up to expectations yet. Ramos has shown promise recently, with seven goals in his last nine appearances, but Kolo Muani has struggled for form.
In their match against Dortmund, Kolo Muani had an ineffective cameo off the bench, lacking sharpness, while Ramos was not introduced at all. PSG coach Luis Enrique defended his decision, saying that he always makes decisions based on what is best for the team. However, on nights like these, when the team is struggling to find the back of the net, the challenge of replacing Mbappe’s goalscoring becomes even more daunting.
While PSG’s wastefulness was a contributing factor to their loss against Dortmund, it was not the sole reason for their defeat. Dortmund created more chances and deserved their victory, with Jadon Sancho proving to be a handful for PSG’s defense. PSG’s vulnerability to long balls also played a role, as Niclas Fullkrug scored after catching the defense off guard with a long ball. Similar issues were evident in their quarter-final against Barcelona, where they struggled to handle Robert Lewandowski.
To advance to the final at Wembley, PSG will need to be more clinical in front of goal. While Mbappe may provide the necessary firepower, his impending departure leaves a void that needs to be filled. Ramos and Kolo Muani have potential, but they will need to step up and deliver when called upon. PSG will have to replicate their comeback against Barcelona in the second leg against Dortmund if they want to progress. However, they cannot rely solely on Mbappe; they need other solutions for when he is not at his best.
In conclusion, PSG’s wastefulness in front of goal raises concerns for their Champions League ambitions. While they have been prolific this season, their heavy reliance on Mbappe and the lack of consistent goal-scoring options beyond him is a cause for worry. To reach the final and win the competition, PSG will need to find a solution to their scoring woes and ensure they are more clinical in front of goal.