Monaco v PSG: How Paris gifted a goal to ASM 🤦‍♂️ the analysis | OneFootball

With the aim of providing our readers with richer content, we came up with the idea of launching a section featuring an analysis of key moments in a match—whether it’s for goals scored or conceded, beautiful moves, near-misses that almost proved costly, and more. The goal is to determine the share of collective or individual success or error in each action. Here is the latest edition. This time, it’s a sequence from the 1-0 defeat against Monaco (video highlights PSG/Monaco) during the 14th matchday of Ligue 1 2025-2026. It’s the opening goal conceded, with numerous errors.

The situation before Nuno Mendes’ missed pass.

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

At this point, PSG has kept control of the ball thanks to a good intervention from João Neves and a back pass to Nuno Mendes. The left-back has plenty of options. Willian Pacho is dropping back, Matvey Safonov is alone, he could take a risk with Achraf Hakimi if he wants to quickly switch sides, and there’s even Khvicha Kvaratskhelia up front. The Portuguese player tried one of the last two options, but missed and sent the ball into the middle to Simon Adingra.

Notably, there is a major misunderstanding in midfield between Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery. They both go to the same spot and get in each other’s way. One of them should have moved to the middle to offer Mendes an option, without forgetting to maintain balance since Neves is all the way to the left. It’s strange that both midfielders are in the same place. Even if Mendes seems to have already chosen his pass, it’s a problem for defending afterwards. It’s also worth noting that Vitinha could have taken advantage of Zaïre-Emery’s presence to try a more offensive option, even if that didn’t seem ideal either.

The situation when the gap opens up on the side.

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

The most striking thing here is that Marquinhos is shown very high up on Adingra. The center-back has stepped out of defense. Some are shocked, but it’s also PSG’s philosophy and it’s far from the first time. Except this time, not all the Paris players seem to be on the same page. Achraf Hakimi, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes are running backwards.

It’s an understandable caution, but it also invites pressure in a way. Hakimi could have faced the play to try to block the play down his flank. Pacho could have moved more towards Aleksandr Golovin, and Nuno Mendes towards Folarin Balogun in the center. But they choose instead to anticipate the ball in behind (maybe the goalkeeper could be higher up, but we don’t know exactly where he is).

Finally, it’s worth noting that Nuno Mendes sees Balogun at this moment in the play—he’s even ahead of him for several more seconds. It’s even stranger that he then lets him slip behind.

The situation at the moment of the cross.

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

Golovin has been played in on the left, Pacho logically steps out to him to prevent him from going for goal, and the cross is chosen. As mentioned earlier, Nuno Mendes let Balogun slip in behind him. It’s a risk, but also a way to prevent a powerful low cross.

The biggest problem, especially with Maghnes Akliouche advancing at the far post, is that everyone seems to be defending as if the only threat is a low ball, as if that’s the only option. That wasn’t the case for Balogun, even less so with Akliouche in mind.

Pacho is close to Golovin, Zaïre-Emery is present deeper, even Neves is at the edge of the box. So why does Vitinha stop? You have to read the play and see that the Monaco players are rushing to the far post. Matvey Safonov’s positioning is also questionable, as we’ve often seen with Lucas Chevalier: he’s positioned very far forward at the near post.

Yet, a shot from that angle is difficult and doesn’t require such coverage. Also, he’s one of those who can read the play and adjust his positioning. Even communicate with his teammates. Everyone is defending the near post; he could have been a bit further back, more oriented towards the play, and prevented a cross into the air within his six-yard box. Not to mention protecting himself in case of a surprise shot.

As seen in the media and in comments, Nuno Mendes is clearly at fault. Marquinhos’ decision to step out can be questioned, as he could have been more cautious given the situation (the midfielders are out of position), but they are far from the only ones to blame. As is often the case, it’s a collective issue.

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