PSG's Weakness In The Champions League Appears Again, Plays Less Efficient

Achraf Hakimi saved PSG from losing in the Champions League (Instagram/@psg).

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) only earned one point when they hosted PSV Eindhoven on the third matchday of the 2024/2025 Champions League at the Parc des Princes, Wednesday, October 23, 2024, early morning WIB.

Achraf Hakimi saved PSG's face from defeat after trailing 0-1 from the visitors.

The 1-1 result at home again opened PSG's weaknesses when appearing in European tournaments.

Les Parisiensdominated the match with 61 percent possession and 26 shots and eight shots on target.

It is far different from PSV's, which only packs 39 percent of possession and conducts eight attempts and three shots at the goal.

However, of the many opportunities made, PSG still has difficulty scoring goals. This was also admitted by the goalscorer, Hakimi, after the match.

"It was a strange game. We had a lot of chances, but failed to take advantage of them."

"We dominated all the games we played, but today we are less efficient," said Hakimi as reported by ESPN.

PSG actually opened up the golden opportunity through Bradley Barcola in the 11th minute, but it can still be blocked by goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

Ousmane Dembele then almost scored the opener with a hard volley in the 22nd minute, but still hit the crossbar.

Instead, PSV played much more clinically. In the 34th minute, Ismael Saibari stole the ball from Dembele and passed it to Lang.

Lang surprised Gianluigi Donnarumma with gunfire from a distance of 20 meters to put PSV ahead.

PSG could only equalize 10 minutes after the second half started. Hakimi's shot crossed between Benitez's legs.

Les Parisiens looked bagged in midfield, a post PSV has always exploited throughout the match.

Dembele and Barcola had another chance to find the lead, but that effort still failed.

Hakimi then threatened again with a 10-minute cross towards the end of the match. It's just that, again, the effort has not paid off.

Randal Kolo Muani then came on to replace Barcola, but did not have much impact on the team.

PSG thought they had been given hope in injury time when Marco Asensio was dropped in the penalty box, but VAR's review ruled it wasn't a foul.

Benitez then thwarted Marquinhos' efforts with a brilliant save in the last seconds to secure a point worthy of his team.

PSG is clearly a purely attacking shortage since Kylian Mbappe left for Real Madrid. That's been a serious problem so far.

There are no reliable predators like Mbappe to solve the opportunities created. That's what makes PSG play less efficiently.

In the next round of matches, PSG will host Atletico Madrid. They had to finish the homework before facing the strong opponent from Spain.