Complacency Issues Could Harm PSG's Champions League Challenge

Paris Saint-Germain were victorious on Tuesday night, beating EA Guingamp 3-0 at the Parc des Princes, but it was far from a convincing performance—and one we have seen a number of times over the last few years.

Javier Pastore, starting for the second game in a row, gave PSG the lead after 17 minutes when he fired a low shot past Jonas Lossl from outside the box.

Le Parisiens had started well, and were the stronger of the two sides, but the goal sparked a reaction that has become all too common with Laurent Blanc’s side. Almost instantly the foot was taken off the gas.

Thibault Camus/Associated Press

Guingamp had a few half-chances to punish PSG’s complacency, but never quite had the quality in the final third to take advantage.

Although they left the stadium happy with the full-time result, PSG fans should have slight concerns that the languid displays which dogged them at times last season threaten to return.

"

@FrenchFtWeekly Well, yeah. Thought they were over this after decent start to the season but last three games have been a regression.

— PSG Tourist (@PSGTourist) September 22, 2015"

"We started off with great intent and we had a few chances without fully dominating a Guingamp team who got men behind the ball,” Blanc told Ligue1.com after the game. “The second half was much better, and Guingamp also started to take a few risks which left us with more space. Ibrahimovic was much better in the second half.”

“I love seeing my team attack and score goals, but I was also pleased with our defensive solidity. That is what wins matches."

During preseason, and the club's bright start to the season, it looked like Blanc had helped eradicate this malaise that often spreads over the league performances, but draws against Bordeaux, Stade de Reims and large periods of Tuesday’s win show issues still exist.

Francois Mori/Associated Press

PSG are so strong that playing in third gear should still be more than good enough to win Ligue 1. They will create chances and score goals against most teams, and regardless of their own results, no other club in the league is strong and consistent enough—even at their best—to challenge the champions.

However, problems could manifest itself when it comes to the Champions League.

You only have to look at Bayern Munich’s 5-1 win over Wolfsburg on Tuesday to see the difference in attitudes. Robert Lewandowski came off the bench to score five goals in nine minutes to help the German champions come from behind to earn a victory.

That is the sort of ruthlessness PSG should be showing in the league—and it will help them push forward when it comes to taking on Europe’s best clubs.

From a mental point of view, it is difficult to expect players to raise their game to another level every other week. You can’t take it easy against clubs like Guingamp and then expect to be at your best to challenge Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Blanc is trying to manage the balance, rotating his side recently to help get everyone up to match fitness—but he has come under criticism:

Blanc told Ligue1.com: 

"

We have the same strategy as most clubs.

We have two players for every position and we preserve the major players so that they are in good condition for the big games.

Last season, we saw what happened against Barcelona when we had five major players absent. We have made our choice and it starts now.

"

The onus then falls on the players. With competition for places, it should spark a fight to earn a starting spot. Players like Pastore, Benjamin Stambouli, Marquinhos and Gregory van der Wiel, are not guaranteed a starting spot, so should be giving 100 percent when they are handed a chance—yet, it still doesn’t come across.

One problem for Blanc is that there are a number of players whose position in the starting XI is untouchable when fit. If players can’t see a chance of playing in the bigger games, that will breed complacency.

PSG need to be ruthless and put Ligue 1 clubs to the sword. It may not be good for the competitiveness of the league, but it will help the French club join Europe’s elite, and give them a better chance of winning the Champions League.