PSG wins but struggles with penalties

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defeated Strasbourg 3-1 in a Ligue 1 match on Saturday, but the victory was overshadowed by the team’s continued issues with scoring from penalty kicks. Ousmane Dembélé, who played a key role in the win with a goal and an assist, missed another penalty, adding to the team’s growing concerns about this aspect of their game.

PSG’s poor penalty record

Since the start of last season, PSG has missed nine out of 19 penalties, giving them a success rate of just over 52%. This is far below the typical average of around 75% for most teams, highlighting a significant weakness in their performance under pressure.

Multiple players affected

The problem is not isolated to one player. Various PSG players have taken penalties in recent matches, including Ferran Torres, Désiré Doué, Vitinha, Dembélé, Gonçalo Ramos, Achraf Hakimi, and Bradley Barcola. The fact that many players have struggled with penalties suggests that the issue is more systemic than individual.

PSG dominates in shootouts

Despite their struggles in regular match penalties, PSG has been nearly unbeatable in penalty shootouts. Since December 2024, they have won all six shootouts they have participated in, with a conversion rate of about 85%. This success in high-stakes situations contrasts sharply with their difficulties during regular matches.