Exposing PSG's fatal weakness

PSG still has weaknesses.

On the scoreboard in Atlanta last week, PSG won 2-0 against Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. But if you look at the score alone, you might think this was an easy game. In fact, the opposite was true: for much of the first half, PSG were suffocated, staggering like a boxer recovering from a fatal blow.

Bayern couldn't finish them off, but Vincent Kompany did what few have ever done: make Luis Enrique's team lose themselves. And more importantly, he left behind a guide - one that Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso will surely be poring over.

Pressing - the "allergic" medicine for PSG

Kompany's formula is not overly complicated, but it is executed with near-absolute precision: full-field pressing, blocking space, forcing the opposition into chaos. Bayern push high, ask their players to mark them thoroughly, creating countless one-on-one situations in every area.

Jamal Musiala led the press, while centre-back Jonathan Tah even advanced into midfield to "lock in" Fabian Ruiz - a key link in PSG's build-up play. The full-backs, Boey and Laimer, maintained high positions, making it impossible for PSG's wide players to escape the pressure.

The result was a confused, broken Parisian team. Bayern started 10 situations in the final third - a number that said it all: PSG were pulled out of their comfort zone.

In top-level games, what sets PSG apart is their ability to control the tempo and space. But against Bayern, they lost both. Their pass completion rate from the back was just 78%, meaning one in four passes failed. It's worth noting that PSG's worst record in the Club World Cup was 89% (against Inter Miami).

The chaos forced Luis Enrique to change his game. He asked his players to play more directly, move quickly, and try to attack the space behind Bayern's defenders. But when they lost their rhythm, PSG also lost their ability to control the game.

Bayern have created many difficulties for PSG.

The picture is even bleaker when you look at the numbers. PSG completed just 354 passes – less than half their average of 780 in the tournament. Only 19% of their attacks came in the final third, the lowest this season. Bayern had 54% possession – the first time PSG have lost control of the ball in their entire run to the Club World Cup.

PSG not only lost the ball, they lost structure. The passing network became disjointed and disconnected. Positions were too deep, no longer creating triangles or coordination corridors as usual. They were like a watch with its gears removed - each part still worked, but no longer synchronized.

The crack is not new, but it is becoming more and more obvious.

This is not the first time PSG have shown weakness under pressure. In last season’s Champions League, Arsenal stunned them with their pressing style in the second leg of the semi-final. At that time, PSG’s pass error rate from home was up to 30%. In the group stage match against Bayern, that figure also reached 24%.

PSG are on top of the world , but the top often doesn't allow for slack.

What do they have in common? PSG have always been good when they have the ball, but they have never really been good when they have to play… without the ball. They lack a reliable way to escape pressing, a "number 6" with enough courage to escape pressing with a neat move and open up space. Players like Vitinha or Fabian are good at technique, but not necessarily experts in surviving in a siege.

No doubt Xabi Alonso watched this game closely. And he must have taken detailed notes of every point Kompany exploited.

With a midfield as energetic, organized and disciplined as Real Madrid’s, Alonso can replicate the all-out pressing scenario. He can even do better – because Real not only have the strength, but also the finishing touch up front, something Bayern lacked.

PSG are on top of the world, but the top often does not allow for laxity. One more stumble, one strong opponent, and that "Achilles heel" could become a fatal point.

Luis Enrique knows that. And now, everyone will wait to see whether he can patch the crack in time, or continue to live in fear of being strangled.

Source: https://znews.vn/boc-tran-diem-yeu-chi-mang-cua-psg-post1567131.html