Paris Saint-Germain required four second-half substitutes to secure a 3-1 home win over newly-promoted Le Mans on Saturday, a result that Luis Enrique called “typical” but which also raised concerns about the squad’s depth.
Stars rested but called upon
Luis Enrique had rested Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes, both absent from the teamsheet, as PSG prioritise their Champions League campaign. The club have rearranged league fixtures in recent seasons to aid their European efforts, and Dembélé started just 12 Ligue 1 games last season, yet still won the player of the season award.
PSG spent more than €150m in the summer, but none of the signings appear likely to displace the regular starters. The new arrivals are intended to facilitate rest rather than compete for places, with the phrase “squad management” often used when they feature.
Le Mans pose questions
After the extended international break, Saturday offered opportunities for Mika Godts, Maghnes Akliouche and Ferran Torres – who cost a combined €150m – to start, alongside Dro Fernández and Lucas Beraldo in midfield, and Lucas Digne, Lucas Hernández and Illia Zabarnyi in defence. However, four of the first-choice players had to be introduced against Le Mans.
Beraldo gave PSG the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first half, but Louis Mafouta equalised for the visitors with a first-time finish from a whipped cross. Luis Enrique praised the work of opposite number Patrick Videira, whose side have troubled several of Ligue 1’s bigger clubs on a modest budget.
Substitutes make the difference
Around €100m of PSG talent was introduced an hour into the game, with Kvaratskhelia, Ruiz, Doué and Vitinha coming on. Ruiz’s long-range effort was spilled into the path of Kvaratskhelia, who scored just two minutes after coming on. Akliouche, who joined for €50m from Monaco, was the only attacker spared the switch and justified the decision by scoring his first goal for PSG to wrap up the victory.
PSG have won their last three league games but have not been convincing in any of them. The summer transfer window was intended to build an alternate XI capable of winning the league comfortably, but the big names are still being called upon.
Champions League focus
PSG are expected to make nine outfield changes for their Champions League match against Manchester City on Wednesday. The issues seen against Le Mans should not affect that game, but there is a sense that PSG are walking a tightrope more than last year. Luis Enrique’s squad is thin by design, and the players brought in to win Ligue 1 games are struggling to do so, raising doubts about their ability to win a third consecutive Champions League.
