PSG is embarking on the most important part of the season with the title race in Ligue 1 and the defense of its title in the Champions League. It will need to rediscover a high-powered attack.

It is, of course, not the sole cause of the problem; it is not the only explanation for the slowdown of this PSG that has become unreadable.

Unpredictable, in the wrong sense of the term this time, the Parisian attack, however, shows a worrying countenance, almost opposite to the radiant profile that allowed it to illuminate all of Europe last season, Le Parisien reports.

"Reverse the trend and rediscover the efficiency that was theirs – such is – since now all the key players seem behind, in any case below what allowed them to be above during the last campaign – the mission that PSG must accomplish to not put itself in difficulty this Wednesday against Chelsea in the round of 16 first leg."

Even though PSG maintains a high offensive volume, its realism, too irregular, brings to light flaws that time, automatisms and collective audacity had ended up filling during the heart of last season. A campaign which, above all, had seen all the players in the squad, without exception, reach a new level, sometimes even several, under the orders of Luis Enrique, the Parisian outlet explains.

Difficult at first glance to fault Bradley Barcola, as he has become a "walking generator" of chances within the Parisian offensive squad. Thanks to his speed, his ability to eat up space, and his ability to exploit depth and penetrate, most often on the left side, the former Lyon player is the one who creates the most danger for PSG. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is sometimes on an alternating current, Le Parisien estimates.

His ability to unbalance through dribbling, to unleash his dangerous shots, and to import his creativity into the half-spaces, however, seemed last season to further complement a collective edifice whose foundations are weakening.

Desire Doue, who assuredly has the most hybrid profile of the group (and therefore somewhat more changing positions), must also use his incredible talent with the regularity required of a player of his caliber. The observation obviously applies to Ousmane Dembele, whose absenteeism – 14 matches missed out of 40 – is as much a handicap on a personal level as on a collective one.

His 30 minutes on Friday against Monaco did not allow Paris to reverse the trend, but at least demonstrated that Dembele was in form. The fact remains that, last year at the same time, the future 2025 Ballon d'Or had already been almost twice as decisive as this season (23 goals and nine assists in all competitions), Le Parisien concludes.

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