Three games. One win. No goals from the forwards.
Based on Paris Saint-Germain’s performances so far, the new Champions League format might actually help them, as they could have struggled to qualify under the old group system.
In Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at home against PSV Eindhoven, the Dutch league leader, PSG showed familiar defensive weaknesses. They no longer have stars like Kylian Mbappé or Neymar to help them win tight matches.
Poor marking allowed PSV’s left winger Noa Lang to score. After right back Achraf Hakimi equalized early in the second half, PSV created two chances to score a late winner with counterattacks.
“It’s the little details that count. PSV managed to make our mistakes count,” Hakimi said. “It’s difficult when you have to chase the game and come from behind.”
PSG lost 2-0 away to Arsenal in their last match due to poor defending and needed a major mistake from the visiting goalkeeper to get a 1-0 win at home against modest Girona in their opening game.
So far, PSG’s only two goals have come from defenders, and they have struggled to finish chances.
Left back Nuno Mendes scored against Girona, but only because his cross became a goal due to a mistake by the goalkeeper.
The new Champions League format includes 36 teams, with each team playing eight games against different opponents until January, allowing for more chances to qualify even if a team is not performing well.
The top eight teams go straight to the round of 16 in March. Teams ranked ninth to 24th enter the knockout playoffs in February, and only the bottom 12 teams are eliminated right away. PSG is currently in 17th place.
Hakimi mentioned that the players should have finished their chances better, but PSG coach Luis Enrique was happy with how the team played. He pointed out that there was almost a stoppage-time winner after PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez made an amazing save from close range.
“We created opportunities. This match was not a disappointment,” he said through a translator. “The only thing is we didn’t score one more than them and that’s a pity.”
However, tougher matches are ahead against Atletico Madrid, six-time winner Bayern Munich, and 2023 champion Manchester City.
The old format, which allowed only two teams from each group to qualify, may have been challenging for this PSG team, just like last season.
PSG only made it to the knockout stage in the final round of group games. After losing to Newcastle and AC Milan, they finished second behind Borussia Dortmund, which then defeated PSG both home and away in the semifinals.
