For the third consecutive match, PSG earned a spot‑kick on Saturday during a 1-3 win in Strasbourg, yet the attempt went astray. Can the club afford another slip?
The common thread linking Désiré Doué, Ferran Torres and Ousmane Dembélé? Each Parisian missed a penalty – Doué against Le Mans, Torres versus Manchester City and Dembélé on Strasbourg’s turf – the first two saw their shots saved, the latter clanged off the post.
“Indeed, the stats look grim. Yet whenever we reach a final, quality spot‑kick takers emerge. We have many capable players, but we’re missing a true specialist,” Luis Enrique told reporters after the 1-3 victory on Ligue 1 matchday 7, adding, “With Vitinha, Ousmane and others, we have plenty of options to strike from the spot.”
This season Paris have converted just one penalty while flubbing the last three. That inefficiency is unacceptable, especially as the European champions have missed nine of their previous 19 attempts outside shoot‑outs. Ironically, in shoot‑outs they’re flawless, winning their last five, including the 2025‑26 Champions League final against Arsenal.
He was angry because he missed the penalty. Will PSG finally find a reliable spot‑kick specialist to end the drought?
When asked about Ousmane Dembélé’s impact – a goal, an assist and a key pass – the Spanish coach replied, “I told him: ‘If you play 25 minutes, deliver an assist and score, you’ve done enough. No need to stay longer.’ He was angry because he missed the penalty.”
He went on, “Ousmane and the others aren’t machines; they won’t always be perfect. Some matches dip in form – that’s normal. Still, Dembélé is a unique talent, a huge pleasure to have in the squad.”
According to Enrique, the Ballon d’Or winner “was trained at Barcelona’s elite school. He already knows everything. A Barcelona graduate fits the style I love, understanding when to drift wide or stay central. Game intelligence is vital for us, and players with that background change everything.”