Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) captain Marquinhos expressed his frustration over the team's inefficiency in front of goal following their disappointing 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League. The match, held at the Parc des Princes, saw Achraf Hakimi rescue a point for PSG with a stunning equaliser after Noa Lang had given the visitors the lead in the 34th minute. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities, PSG's struggles in this year's tournament were evident as they managed to score only their second goal of the competition.
In contrast to their domestic form, where they have netted an impressive 25 goals in Ligue 1, PSG has found it challenging to convert their chances on the European stage. During the match against PSV, they recorded a staggering 26 shots, the highest against PSV since Tottenham's 30 attempts back in November 2018. However, only eight of those shots were on target, reflecting a troubling trend in their finishing.
Marquinhos emphasized that the primary issue for the team was their efficiency, stating, "Efficiency was our main problem because we had a lot of chances." He noted that although PSG created several opportunities early in the match, they failed to find the back of the net, which allowed PSV to seize control of the game. "They took their chance and scored, which changed the dynamics of the match," he added, acknowledging the impact of PSV’s goal on their game plan.
Despite several close attempts, including a shot from Ousmane Dembele that hit the post in the 18th minute, PSG struggled to test PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez effectively. New signings Bradley Barcola and Lee Kang-In were also noted for their threats but rarely managed to challenge the Dutch defense significantly.
Luis Enrique, PSG's head coach, defended his team's overall play, asserting, "We are among the teams who create the most chances." He pointed out that while they are playing according to his vision, there is still room for improvement in their ability to convert chances. "It's great that we create so many opportunities, but we need to be more clinical," he admitted, underscoring the importance of translating their domestic success into European results.
Currently sitting in 17th place in their Champions League group ahead of their upcoming fixtures, PSG faces formidable challenges against Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich. Marquinhos recognized the need for adjustments, both mentally and in training, to regain their composure in front of goal. "We need to stay calm when we get those chances. It’s about having the right mentality and focus to finish them off," he stated.
The draw against PSV serves as a reminder of PSG's ongoing struggle to replicate their Ligue 1 form on the European stage. As they prepare for critical matches that could define their Champions League campaign, improving their efficiency in front of goal will be paramount for the team's aspirations of progressing further in the tournament.
