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 one focuses on the most significant attacking misses during the 0-1 defeat against Paris FC in the Round of 32 of the 2025-2026 Coupe de France.
The situation where Barcola could have passed to Ramos.
This is somewhat of an exception in the selection of plays, because the idea behind the play is sound. Gonçalo Ramos is perfectly positioned, not offside, and Bradley Barcola attempts the pass. Unfortunately, this was the other problem: minor technical errors. But overall, PSG should still have scored, with better decision-making, as seen below.
The situation when Mayulu tries to play Barcola through.
This is an example of a bit of stubbornness, and of Senny Mayulu losing some of his edge in decision-making lately. Barcola comes in from the left, plays the ball to him at the edge of the box, and asks for a one-two. He’s quite right; he needs to create movement and try to get to the goal. It’s also a way to draw the opposition out.
But Mayulu needs to make better choices. The entire PFC defense is focused on Barcola in the center, making the pass difficult and difficult to intercept, with no real opportunity for the striker even if he gets a touch. On the other hand, he has Ramos and Fabian Ruiz on his left, from where the ball came, and could have seen them.
A direct pass to Ramos is difficult, but not impossible. Alternatively, he could have held up play and then passed to the Portuguese player or the Spanish midfielder. With better awareness, it would also have been possible to find Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the right.
The situation when Mayulu receives a back pass from Kvaratskhelia.
Here we see another recurring problem at PSG: a reluctance to shoot first time. Mayulu has space to get a shot off, and the defender is relatively far away. It’s worth a shot. He could also try to find Ramos, even if the pass isn’t straightforward. It’s not impossible. Alternatively, he could control the ball to draw him in… but that will force him to shoot (next image).
The situation when Mayulu controlled the ball.
Mayulu took a slightly heavy touch, drawing two defenders who lunged at him… and then decided to shoot. It was too late. He could have cut inside, played a direct pass to Ramos or Ruiz, but it was blocked in front of him.
The situation when Kvaratskhelia makes a run down the right.
Having made some excellent passes throughout the first half (perhaps he deserved a higher rating after reviewing the match…), Kvaratskhelia became frustrated. It’s a human failing, one that happens in other teams, but it proved costly. He looked for a dribble to get a shot away (ultimately with several players marking him), when there was a very simple and dangerous pass to make. Ruiz could have played it back to him, shot, or even looked for Mayulu on the left (we didn’t include that last line).
The situation when Ramos decided to shoot.
It’s a more complex case, but still regrettable. Kvaratskhelia intercepts a pass with a sliding tackle and restarts play. Ramos finds himself with the ball a good distance from the goal; the goalkeeper isn’t well positioned and retreats, allowing him to attempt a shot. But it’s not good enough. The Portuguese player could have also played Kvaratskhelia in, or tried to advance. The defender should have tracked Kvaratskhelia or closed down Ramos, leaving the other option open. Possibly a slight lack of composure and confidence on Ramos’ part.
The situation when Dembélé finds himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
This time, Ramos won the ball back from the defender and played it to Dembélé with a pass that was perhaps a little too long. Although, he could have used the opportunity to assess the situation while running. Dembélé didn’t, or made a surprising choice. Barcola was unmarked, the gap was perfect for him to play in as the defender surged towards his goal. He opted to shoot, and the goalkeeper made the save.
Be warned, none of these situations are easy to manage on the pitch. It’s much simpler behind a screen, whether during the match or afterward, with some perspective. However, we also expect top-level players to know how to handle these situations. Especially in this PSG team, which demonstrated this skill very well in the second half of the 2025-2026 season.
Not every chance can go in; a certain percentage is necessary (especially since we haven’t included everything in this article). We need to rediscover spontaneity and a sense of collective efficiency, prioritizing it over spectacle, to avoid further regrets this season.
Finally, it should be noted that PSG had chances throughout the match, and several images come from the first half, contrary to the very strange notion circulating since yesterday that Paris only stepped up their game at the end. Or that PFC defended particularly well.
