PSG Stuck Between Domestic Dominance And Champions League Woes

Paris Saint-Germain find themselves in familiar territory following their midweek defeat against Bayern Munich, as a side that is too strong for its domestic rivals in France struggles in the Champions League. There is perhaps a difference this time, however -- while PSG have often not lived up to their potential in Europe, this season they appear simply nowhere near as good as the best teams on the continent. Luis Enrique's side offered little attacking threat in Tuesday's 1-0 loss in Munich, in which goalkeeper Matfei Safonov was at fault for the goal and Ousmane Dembele was sent off.

PSG have just four points and have suffered three defeats in five games in the Champions League, meaning they sit 25th out of 36 teams.

That leaves them one place and two points outside the qualifying spots for February's knockout phase play-offs, and they will surely need to win at least two of their three remaining matches to avoid elimination.

Such a fragile position means Luis Enrique is naturally in the firing line, with doubts surrounding his tactics -- "The method without any effect," read one headline in sports daily L'Equipe on Thursday.

In particular, his penchant for playing without a centre-forward since the departure of Kylian Mbappe and the loss of Goncalo Ramos to injury.

Randal Kolo Muani, a big-money signing who was expected to step up following Mbappe's exit, has become an outcast.

A France regular, Kolo Muani has started just twice all season for PSG and did not come off the bench against Bayern.

Yet Paris have scored only three goals in five Champions League matches, one of which was an own goal.

"To be the coach of PSG is a privilege. The pressure I put on myself is greater than any external pressure," Luis Enrique