With the aim of providing our readers with richer content, we’ve launched a section analyzing key moments in a match, whether goals scored or conceded, skillful plays, near misses, and more. The goal is to determine the degree of collective or individual success, or error, in each action. Here’s the latest installment. This particular piece focuses on the 2-1 defeat against Sporting Lisbon at the Estádio José Alvalade during Matchday 7 of the 2025-2026 Champions League. It’s the action leading to the second goal conceded.
The situation when PSG loses possession.
For the moment, PSG has possession, even if it’s contested since it’s not a “calm” situation. Désiré Doué has to choose quickly; there’s nothing easy about it. He could play it back to Warren Zaïre-Emery or, more difficult, forward to Gonçalo Ramos. Both are clearly asking for the ball.
However, Doué chose the more difficult option, passing to Vitinha, who was very close to him and the opponent. The Portuguese player doesn’t win the duel. Doué could also have tried to get out to the right, although that wasn’t easy either.
The situation when Sporting takes control of the ball.
The ball is still contested, but the Sporting striker manages to play it back to regain possession. Ilya Zabarnyi had moved forward to prevent a quick counter-attack; it was difficult to get in front of him given the distance at the moment of the pass.
On the wing, a player starts to make a run behind him. Désiré Doué could have followed him (especially since he’s more of a midfielder at this point), but stops to focus on the ball. It’s not incomprehensible, but it makes it easier to play the ball back and launch an attack.
Ramos could also have been more active here, given his fresh legs. It’s possible to help by closing down the area while the other players are marking the ball carrier.
The situation when the back pass is made.
There’s a run down the left wing; Zabarnyi couldn’t stop the attack. But he isn’t really beaten. The Sporting striker can’t get past him on the wing, so he cuts inside without really having a shooting or crossing opportunity since the Parisian defender isn’t far away.
Unfortunately, there’s a very easy back pass. It’s up to Vitinha to intercept it, to protect the defense by not leaving such a free opponent just in front of the box. He wasn’t particularly late at the start of the play. Fatigue may have played a part.
The situation when Lucas Chevalier saves the shot.
Willian Pacho quickly closed down the opponent, but the shot went in. It was powerful, making it a tough challenge for Chevalier. However, the Parisian goalkeeper was caught out by the shot, ending up on the ground after failing to parry the ball into the correct area.
There’s another factor that makes the difference: Luis Suarez is already moving. Nuno Mendes is also about to move, but, as you can clearly see here, he’s still stationary. A slight delay that makes a huge difference.
Since last night, Chevalier and Zabarnyi have been heavily criticized. Understandably so, they weren’t perfect. But they weren’t alone, and their mistakes weren’t ridiculous either. The defender wasn’t even beaten on the play.
There’s a collective fatigue, with Doué’s lack of composure and Vitinha’s return too soon. Perhaps also a bit of complacency. Or at least, not enough of that hunger for victory that made the difference last season. Doué is taking a very difficult approach, perhaps due to overconfidence; their defensive positioning isn’t optimal, and Nuno Mendes seems a bit sluggish. On the other side, they’re winning their duels through sheer intensity.
