PSG‘s Defensive Frailties: A Deep Dive into Their UWCL Struggles
Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance in domestic play this season masks a concerning trend: a vulnerability in defense, particularly when facing elite opposition. While their record within France appears solid – conceding only eight goals in eight matches, discounting a lopsided 6-1 defeat to Lyon – teh Champions League has exposed significant weaknesses. They’ve conceded four goals against Wolfsburg and two against Real Madrid, raising serious questions about their ability to contend for the UWCL title.
This defensive decline isn’t a sudden development, but rather a outcome of key personnel changes and unfortunate circumstances. Until 2021, PSG boasted one of Europe’s most formidable backlines, anchored by Irene Paredes and Paulina Dudek. Together, this Spain-Poland center-back pairing conceded a mere four goals in 22 games en route to a league championship.
However,the departure of Paredes to Barcelona initiated a shift. Dudek remains with the squad, but persistent injuries have hampered her consistency. Consequently, the defense now appears more prone to errors in crucial moments.
Let’s break down the contributing factors to PSG’s defensive issues:
* Injuries to Key Players: Mbock, a former Lyon defender, has been sidelined with her own injury concerns, disrupting defensive stability.
* New Arrivals Struggling to Adapt: Olga Carmona, signed from Real Madrid this summer, has found it difficult to adjust to the defensive demands of her new role as a left back.
* Unconventional Positional Fillers: Forward Ajibade has even been deployed at right back in a couple of games, highlighting a lack of natural cover in that position.
* Goalkeeping Concerns: Mary Earps, the Euro 2022-winning goalkeeper, hasn’t been at her best, particularly against stronger opponents.
Specifically, Earps’ statistics this season are alarming. Across seven games in all competitions,she’s conceded 14 goals – a significant increase compared to her previous six seasons.Her current save percentage of 53% is her lowest in years.
Moreover, her weaknesses are becoming increasingly apparent:
* Poor Cross Collection: A cross-collection percentage of just 3.3% ranks among the lowest in the league.
* Hesitation Off the Line: Opponents have successfully exploited her tendency to hesitate when coming off her line.
You might be wondering if Earps can turn things around. This week presents a critical opportunity as PSG faces Manchester United in the UWCL. It’s a chance for her to rediscover her form against a familiar opponent.
However, off-field distractions threaten to derail her and the team. Recent controversy surrounding her book launch has placed additional scrutiny on the goalkeeper. For a team already grappling with form and defensive instability, this is the last thing PSG needs.
Ultimately, PSG’s success in the UWCL hinges on addressing these defensive vulnerabilities. They need to solidify their backline, support Earps, and minimize distractions to regain the defensive solidity that once defined them. Whether they can achieve this remains to be seen, but the challenges are clear.
