Marseille/PSG, Dembélé must do better, the others too… analysis | OneFootball

Here is the next installment in our “analysis” series, with a look back in pictures at a Paris Saint-Germain match in order to highlight a few key points. These are sequences from the 1-2 win against Olympique de Marseille (OM/PSG video highlights) at the Stade Vélodrome on Matchday 5 of Ligue 1 2026-2027. This is the goal conceded, with several mistakes and not just Ousmane Dembélé’s loss of possession (29-year-old forward).

The situation when the ball arrives from Marquinhos to Ousmane Dembélé.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

What needs to be kept in mind is that this ball comes from an attacking throw-in (on the left, near the Marseille penalty area). The throw-in is played backward, João Neves gave the ball to Willian Pacho, who then passed it to Marquinhos, and here we are with Ousmane Dembélé dropping deep.

He could have kept it simple and played to Warren Zaïre-Emery, but he too could have ended up in trouble. Otherwise, the Parisian number 10 could have gone back through Willian Pacho in order to get out of Marseille’s pressure. We also know he is capable of an attacking first touch in an attempt to beat his opponent. Except that he instead controlled backward and got it slightly wrong, allowing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to make the tackle.

It should still be pointed out that Désiré Doué was offside and Ferran Torres was right on the limit, without actively calling for the ball. Coming out of this attacking throw-in, PSG are only numerically level when trying to play out against a strong Marseille push.

The situation when Amine Gouiri turns after Hojbjerg’s tackle.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

With this pressure and numerical parity, winning the ball back can hurt very quickly. Here, Pacho, Marquinhos and Vitinha all immediately drop back. That is not incomprehensible, but it was also possible to put a bit more pressure on Marseille. Gouiri moves forward without difficulty and can scan the situation. His two teammates also have time to get into position. It is rarely a positive thing to give the opponent time and space.

The situation when Angel Gomes receives the ball.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

While Gomes is picked out very close to the penalty area, Pacho ends up 1-on-1. Vitinha could have tucked in closer to help him, especially since Gouiri stops after his pass and there are other teammates to cover that possible option. Instead, the Portuguese midfielder stays more central, near the edge of the box.

The situation when Gomes dribbles past Willian Pacho.

Caption: – Orange circle: the players being discussed – Everything in black: the possible options – Everything in red: what happened after the image. Line = pass – Arrow = movement – White circle = ball

At the moment of the dribble, Pacho is isolated even though the Parisians clearly have a numerical advantage around him. It is a shame, because Vitinha could very well have been closer to help him. Still, it should be noted that the defender is beaten strangely easily. He commits himself a bit, without being ready to react to the feint.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here.