The lessons of this first official match of PSG version 2023-2024 are multiple. If everything is clearly not to be thrown away and that the Luis Enrique paw is already being felt within this new look workforce, one of the main observations remains despite everything this lack of offensive edge. Opposed to FC Lorient, Saturday evening, on behalf of the first day of Ligue 1, the reigning French champions have, in fact, come across a wall. Unable to make a difference in the last thirty meters, despite some hot situations, the capital club finally conceded a draw (0-0) despite an outrageous domination, especially in the first period.
A starting lineup with six new recruits!
In the absence of Marco Verratti, Neymar and therefore Kylian Mbappé, Luis Enrique started this meeting against Les Merlus in 4-3-3. In front of Gigio Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Milan Skriniar, Danilo and Lucas Hernandez formed the Paris defense. In the midfield, the young Warren Zaire-Emery and Vitinha accompanied the sparkling Manuel Ugarte. Finally, the Spanish technician lined up his three summer recruits on the attacking front. Lee Kang-In and Marco Asensio surrounded, as such, Gonçalo Ramos. Yes, but here we are, despite intense pressing from the first seconds of this match and impressive ball possession (97% after 10 minutes), the residents of the Parc des Princes did not manage to be dangerous.
Result ? A nice strike from Ramos pushed back by Mvogo (9th) and not much else to eat until the break. Back from the locker room, Vitinha (53rd), Fabian Ruiz (77th), Ramos (79th), Soler (90 + 3rd) or even Ugarte (90 + 5th) tried to put on the hero costume but nothing changed. and the scoreboard was not changing. In total, Paris will therefore have struck 20 times on goal for only four small attempts on target… Enough to cause a slight frustration on the side of Luis Enrique. “There is a contradictory feeling”first admitted the former Barça coach at a press conference before arguing.
A problematic offensive performance…
“I appreciated the attitude of the players and the behavior of the defence. The Lorient people play very good football and they have passed the midfield only three times. The opponent defended a lot, we were better than them but we didn’t create enough chances. He lacked more intense off-the-ball play, diagonal and range play and efficiency. But we deserved to win.”. A lucid observation on the performance of his players, suffering when making the difference against the low block of the Hakes. And for good reason. With a Gonçalo Ramos, globally interesting for his big first as number 9, a Marco Asensio, very eccentric but often close to his circles, and a Lee Kang-In, voluntary, provocative but also in percussion, PSG has lacked depth and verticality.
However, a few meters from this implacable truth was a certain Kylian Mbappé. Renowned for his devastating deep catches and his ability to make the difference with his speed, the former AS Monaco prodigy would certainly have brought this missing genius. And what about his new teammate, Ousmane Dembélé, present at his side to attend the premiere of his partners… Without its usual stars (Neymar, Marco Verratti, Nuno Mendes, Kylian Mbappé…), PSG finally lacked carelessness . Unable to create individual differences or to bring real changes of rhythm in the creation, the club of the capital finally quite logically broke its teeth on the compact block of Hakes.
Mbappé and Dembélé, for a better future?
A lack of attacking momentum which could, however, quickly disappear with the upcoming integration of Ousmane Dembélé, capable of unbalancing a defense on his own. And this, not to mention a possible comeback of Kylian Mbappé in the starting lineup of Luis Enrique. If this possibility is still quite utopian, the presence of the French international (70 caps, 40 goals) against Les Merlus has, despite everything, hinted at a small bright spot for the future of the Parisian number 7 in the City of Light. One thing is certain, in the coming weeks, the new architect of PSG will have to find the keys to overcome these grouped defenses.
Aware of the difficulties encountered against Lorient, Luis Enrique did not lose his optimism and thus promised better days for Parisian supporters. “It’s the phase of the game that I know best. It’s something I’m used to and we’ll get through those big boulders, I have no doubt. We will find solutions and it will depend on the players that we will have available., assured in particular the former coach of La Roja in the face of journalists. The task could inevitably prove to be easier with the return of the top scorer in the history of the club…
