Paris (AFP)

A mixed impression

With seven points, PSG dominates group A at the end of the first leg of the group stage.

A tenth consecutive qualification for the round of 16 is reaching out to him.

But, Wednesday morning, the French press retained the mixed performance of a team far from having consumed its immense reservoir of talent.

"At this rate, PSG is exposed to some longer-term disappointments," writes the sports daily L'Equipe.

"It's true that we have to do better, admitted Kylian Mbappé at the microphone of RMC Sport. For the moment, we are not playing well and we are winning. I think we have to play better to win more calmly."

A muddled defense

The evening had started well for PSG, who scored in the ninth minute by "Kyky".

But his teammates then made too many inaccuracies.

Even the metronomic midfielder Marco Verratti lost some unusual balls for him.

Champions League 2021-2022 Vincent LEFAI AFP

Behind, full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes left too much space for the Germans, who targeted this recurring weakness in the system of coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Already, at the beginning of October, in Rennes, during the only Parisian defeat in Ligue 1 of the season (2-0), the Breton goals were born from an overflow on one side.

Bis repeated against Leipzig, who went back to the scoreboard (2-1, 56th), on two similar actions.

More generally, Paris concedes too many opportunities.

He only managed four clean sheets (no goals conceded) in 14 official competition matches.

This structural weakness goes beyond the alternation between goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Keylor Navas, who concede substantially the same number of goals per game (0.8 for the Italian against 1.1 for the Costa Rican).

How to improve?

Pochettino explored a lead in the final half hour, with a three-center-back pattern, Danilo squeezing between Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos.

Danilo Pereira takes a ball with his head under the eyes of Presnel Kimpembe during the victory of Paris against Leipzig in the Champions League on October 19, 2021 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP

"We were also suffering with the Leipzig side who were very high. We were always a little late to press. This change allowed us to have more security," said the latter.

"We are open to what the coach will offer, it's good to have several options," said Ander Herrera.

A dependent attack

This passage to three coincided with the good "finish" of the PSG, which took again the advantage thanks to the double of Lionel Messi (67th, 74th sp).

But if the Argentinian was decisive, the Parisian attacking game still seemed too dependent on his individualities.

Kylian Mbappé straightens his race before hitting and opening the scoring for Paris SG against Leipzig in the Champions League on October 19, 2021 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP

The only opportunities arose from the exploits of the "Pulga" and Mbappé, named man of the match.

The observation should be put into perspective in the absence of attackers Neymar, injured groin, Angel di Maria, suspended, and Mauro Icardi, for personal reasons.

But this is not the first time that the copy leaves something to be desired: in C1, PSG almost shot half as much as their opponents (27 shots against 51).

"Our midfielders were down too much and we had trouble connecting with our attackers, admitted Pochettino. We had possession, but we prefer to have it higher up on the pitch."

"I also saw some good things offensively, which are improving, and which will work better over time," continued the technician.

But time is running out: from Sunday, the Ligue 1 classic in Marseille will tell if his team is taking the right path.

© 2021 AFP