Reduced to 10 men in the second half, the Parisians, very logically, suffered the law of Bayern Munich on Tuesday, during the fifth day of C1. Qualification is moving away.
Failed again. With surprising tactical choices from Luis Enrique to say the least, a blunder from Matfey Safonov and an expulsion from Ousmane Dembélé, the Parisians, courageous but harmless, succumbed to Bayern Munich on Tuesday (1-0), during the fifth matchday of the Champions League League. Fourth match in a row without a win for the Rouge et Bleu, virtually eliminated from the Big Ears Cup (here is the ranking). They can’t go wrong on December 10th in Salzburg. Behind, they will play against Manchester City at the Parc des Princes (22 January) and Stuttgart (29 January). Red alert.
Intense start to the match, aggression on both sides, two high and ambitious blocks. What about the Parisian show, with these four midfielders (Vitinha, Neves, Zaire-Emery, Ruiz) at kick-off? Difficult to find your little ones there, with Barcola and Dembélé very far apart and many movements, permutations, Vitinha often very low on the counterattack, Parisians very tactically fluid and extremely incisive in losses, no or little presence in the attacking axis. Original… Bayern embarrassed. But, apart from a shot by “Dembouz” rejected by Goretzka (8th), the reports were mainly German at the start of the match, with two great saves by Safonov, preferred to Donnarumma, against Musiala (7th) and Sané (11 °). . Tactical combat. The middle battle at the heart of all matters.
Ruiz high enough to press, Mendes freer than usual. Again this movement on the PSG side. A new “center forward”, so to speak, in almost every action. Coman sang the song to Hakimi… before screwing up his shot (28th). “WZE” (29th) was also unscrewed, he was perfectly served by Ruiz. Dembélé shocked by Neuer and Neves who failed to insert the second knife (33rd). The dangerous, valiant, courageous Parisians. But they were overcome by their old demons, by their structural weaknesses on set pieces. In this case it was Safonov who was wrong. Gift for Kim, gift for Bayern (1-0, 38th). Cruel, given the efforts made so far by the Rouge et Bleu… Hakimi still bitten by Coman (41st) and mysterious recovery by Safonov, who saves the blow in front of Kane (41st). Another volley from Neves (45+1) but above all three Bavarian shots, two of which into the arms of Safonov (45+3), and it’s time to return to the locker room (1-0 MT).
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PSG’s notes in Munich: Safonov is in difficulty, Barcola non-existent, Vitinha is floating
Dembélé sees red
No changes at the start, but PSG still a little higher. Ruiz still in charge and Dembélé blocked (56th). Especially Dembélé who tried to break through the German counterattack with this shot. Already booked in the first period, he was sent off (56th). Already at 11 the task was complicated. It became impossible… At that moment, only the very discreet Barcola remained on the pitch - if not non-existent – as a striker. Lee entered the game immediately (65th) and made his mark with a well-executed free kick (66th). But Bayern attacks again, with Coman in the lead (67th). Betting on a thread. Entry of the returning Ramos, making his first appearance after his ankle injury on 16 August. But it was necessary to save with the tip of Safonov’s gloves, who returned the ball to the post, in front of Musiala, to prolong the suspense (74th). Control, hitherto shared, was now clearly Monaco.
The Parisians still had courage. 10 of them managed to believe in it a little, with this rise from Hakimi or this shot from outside the area from Neves (85th). That was it… And it wasn’t much. A few more Bavarian skirmishes but the score remains there (final 1-0). Four points and three goals in five games for Paris Saint-Germain, who will have to fight hard in the last three days to secure the play-offs. The dismantling is now.
What are the key tactical changes PSG needs to implement to improve after their loss to Bayern Munich?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Football Expert on PSG vs Bayern Munich Match
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special segment where we break down the latest football action! Today, we have renowned football analyst, Dr. Elina Gros, here to discuss the recent Champions League match between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Welcome, Elina!
Dr. Elina Gros: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here, especially after such a compelling match, even if the result wasn’t in PSG’s favor.
Editor: Absolutely! Let’s dive into it. PSG lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich, marking their fourth consecutive match without a win. What do you think went wrong for them in this match?
Dr. Gros: Well, it was a combination of tactical missteps and execution issues. Coach Luis Enrique made some surprising choices, especially with the midfield setup. While they initially seemed fluid with their midfield combinations, they lacked a clear attacking presence, which hampered their ability to capitalize on their counterattacks.
Editor: Yes, the tactical fluidity seemed to cause confusion. You mentioned there was no central figure in the attack. How does that affect a team’s performance?
Dr. Gros: When a team lacks a defined central forward, it can lead to a disjointed attack. Players like Dembélé and Barcola struggled to find connection, often operating in isolation. This not only stifles creativity but also makes it easier for the opposing defense — in this case, Bayern’s — to manage threats.
Editor: Fascinating point! Speaking of tactics, it was noted that PSG had aggressive pressing strategies, particularly early on in the match. Did you think this was an effective approach?
Dr. Gros: Initially, yes. The intensity matched Bayern’s aggression, and it caused problems for their midfield. However, as the match progressed, especially after Dembélé’s expulsion, that pressing became challenging to sustain. They had to retreat, and that ultimately gave Bayern more control, especially during set pieces.
Editor: Right, the red card was critical. Do you believe that Ousmane Dembélé’s dismissal shifted the dynamic of the match significantly?
Dr. Gros: Absolutely. Losing a player like Dembélé, who can turn a match with his pace and skill, forced PSG to adapt too quickly. Without him, they lost not just an attacker but also a pressing figure who could challenge Bayern’s backline. The red card highlighted their fragility under pressure, an issue they’ve struggled with in previous matches.
Editor: And we can’t overlook the goalkeeper, Matfey Safonov. There were some critical mistakes, including the goal conceded. How do individual errors like this impact a team’s confidence, particularly in a crucial match?
Dr. Gros: Individual errors in high-stakes matches are incredibly costly. Safonov’s blunder for the first goal was a cruel twist for PSG, who had shown heart and effort otherwise. Confidence can wane in the face of repeated mistakes, and that can create a domino effect where players become hesitant and second-guess their decisions.
Editor: As for PSG’s journey in the Champions League, with qualification still uncertain, what should they focus on in the upcoming matches?
Dr. Gros: They need to solidify their tactics in both attack and defense. Finding a clearer attacking identity is crucial, and reinforcing their set-piece defense will be vital. They also must build morale; a positive result in their upcoming matches could restore some confidence that currently seems shaken.
Editor: Wise words, Elina. Thank you for your insights! It will be interesting to see how PSG adapts as they face tight fixtures against teams like Manchester City and Stuttgart.
Dr. Gros: Thank you! It’s always a pleasure to discuss football, especially in such transformative times for clubs like PSG.
Editor: That wraps up our analysis today. Stay tuned for more updates on PSG and the Champions League right here at Time.news!