Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2 against AS Monaco this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in the second leg of their 2025-2026 Champions League playoff tie (5-4 on aggregate). After the match, the media outlet Paris Stats Germain shared some striking statistics about this very difficult game for Paris.
Note that distance covered isn’t everything in football. It’s important to take a step back and consider all football statistics with a grain of salt. For example, it’s worth remembering that PSG’s extended possession can also mean they need to cover less ground. The distance covered is less when the opponent is pinned back in their own half. And Monaco had to redouble their efforts playing with 10 men.
However, PSG also played 30 minutes with an extra player and were outpaced in terms of distance covered. This reflects an overall feeling during the match: the Parisians were a bit sluggish, even lethargic at times, compared to an intense Monaco side.
This is a crucial ingredient in football, one that PSG consistently displayed last season. This year, perhaps due to fatigue, it’s lacking at times, and the Parisians almost paid the price. Let’s hope that there’s an element of management and energy conservation in this unusual season, allowing them to raise their game later on.
