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 moves, missed opportunities, 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 sequence is from the 5-2 victory against Chelsea in the first leg of the 2025-2026 Champions League Round of 16 (second leg on March 17). It’s the first goal conceded, which aptly summarizes the areas Paris can still improve going forward.
The situation when PSG presses while Chelsea has retreated.
For the moment, PSG isn’t particularly in danger. The ball was lost recently, and Paris managed to push Chelsea back. A press is then initiated by Vitinha, Ousmane Dembélé, and Bradley Barcola. But the timing is questionable. The Chelsea player has time to control the ball, and the team isn’t perfectly positioned: there’s space between them and the defense.
It’s a bit too easy for the Blues to get into a line and make a pass that exposes the defense. We like the playing philosophy with its intense pressing, but sometimes you have to know when to be cautious and patient. This isn’t the first time in recent weeks that Paris has been penetrated a little too easily.
The situation when PSG tries to play out from the back.
Despite the difficult situation, PSG has regained possession and is now trying to escape Chelsea’s particularly intense press. Achraf Hakimi makes a relatively logical pass to Warren Zaïre-Emery. It’s unfortunate that he’s turned completely towards the back and the right side, from where the ball originated. It might be worthwhile to look for another way to relieve the pressure.
However, his teammates also need more movement. Marquinhos could shift to become a clear option, or force João Pedro to follow him in order to free up the pass to Matvey Safonov. Zaïre-Emery could have gone for Willian Pacho, taking a slight risk. Also, Désiré Doué and Vitinha are perhaps a little too close together. There’s a lack of movement to avoid being stifled. Perhaps they’re experiencing a dip in form, as PSG struggles to play complete matches.
PSG got a bit stuck in their own half, and the referee may have made a mistake, as Nuno Mendes’ dribble to get out of the box seemed to have stayed within the boundaries of the pitch. Chelsea, however, had a throw-in.
The situation after the throw-in for Chelsea.
Right after the throw-in, Chelsea retreats. We all saw Nuno Mendes lagging behind when it seemed essential to get back into position. Barcola could also have covered for him. Gusto logically takes advantage of this to make a run.
It was less noticeable in the heat of the moment, but there was also a moment of hesitation between Vitinha and Doué about which player to pass to. Here we see Doué signaling to his teammate, but it’s too late. Chelsea has gained an advantage, the forward pass is easy. This is the penultimate pass of the move.
The situation when the pass to Gusto is made.
The ball is in the air, heading towards the PSG penalty area, and we see Nuno Mendes almost standing still. This is obviously a problem. He seemed to be in a slight pain, but at the highest level, there’s no room for error. Barcola is too far back to compensate.
We also saw that Safonov hesitated to come out. He was further forward before and dropped back when the Chelsea player turned forward; it wasn’t necessarily needed. Then, during the pass to Gusto, given the gap in the defense when they were “armed” in the center (4 against 2), he could have come out more decisively to challenge Gusto. This could have prevented him from controlling and calmly placing his shot. Even though there’s also the risk of being beaten by a potential pass.
Sometimes you have to try something, especially when the rest of the defense seems to be covering. He also takes a small step back just before the shot. An unforgivable mistake, with the ball somewhat “receiving” and heading towards the goal even though he gets a touch. With a step forward, the deflection could have been more incisive.
A return to composure, perhaps also to focus—elements that can be lost with fatigue—is needed for a PSG side that is more in control and less prone to conceding.
