PENALTY PARADOX AT PSG: THE WORST IN EUROPE

According to L'Équipe; French Ligue 1 giant Paris Saint-Germain is experiencing a penalty paradox rarely seen on football pitches. The capital representative experiences a great nightmare in penalty kicks won during normal time in the match, but takes on a completely different identity when it comes to penalty shootouts. When the statistics are examined, it is seen that the French team could only find the net in 20 of the total 31 penalty kicks they have taken since the beginning of the 2024/25 season. Catching a very low success rate like 64.5 percent, the Paris representative holds the title of the worst team in Europe with this striking and negative statistic. This great insecurity and instability experienced in penalties won during the match are among the most important problems of the technical committee. However, the quirk of football comes into play right at this point. When things are left to penalty shootouts, the French giant almost turns into an invincible armada. The clumsiness in normal time leaves its place to tremendous cold-bloodedness. According to the data, Paris Saint-Germain has achieved a wonderful winning streak of exactly 6 consecutive matches in penalty shootouts. The last defeat in this area of the capital team, which never gives its rivals a chance when it comes to shootouts in cup struggles, has been left far behind. The team's last defeat in penalty shootouts dates back to 2022. Establishing a clear psychological superiority against its rivals at the penalty spot over the passing years, the Paris representative continues to surprise football authorities with this weird statistic. The intense pressure experienced by the players who step up to the ball in normal time almost evaporates in shootouts. Although it is known that special exercises are done in the team's training to solve this strange situation, the current picture reflected on the pitch forms a complete contrast. The football world is trying to understand with great astonishment how such a big team can be at two different extremes regarding penalties.

GÖRSEL: LE MATIN