World Cup Hangover and 3 Other Reasons Why PSG Have Been Poor in 2023

• PSG are limping as they enter into a crucial stage of the season
• Christophe Galtier's men stumbled to four defeats in two months
• The defeat to Monaco puts Les Parisiens in a precarious position

Paris Saint-Germain tasted their fourth defeat in 2023 over the weekend and 'desperately need to get their act together' to avert yet another Champions League heartbreak this week.

After a strong start domestically, PSG's form has dropped off considerably since the turn of the year.

AS Monaco were the latest beneficiaries of the French champions' slump, slicing an injury-ravaged and illness-struck PSG in just 45 first-half minutes, Eurosport reports.

But it was RC Lens that kicked off the chain of poor results for the Parisians in the new year, with a 3-1 statement victory on January 1.

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14 days later on January 15, Rennes notched a 1-0 win and the downward spiral of results continued unabated into the month of February.

Fierce rivals, Olympique Marseille added insults to PSG's injury, knocking them out of the French Cup in the round of 16 on February 8 with a 2-1 victory.

Amid the string of bad results, Sports Brief aims to diagnose the reason behind PSG's current 'state of emergency' as the club enters a critical stretch of the season.

1. World Cup hangover

Before the World Cup break, Les Parisiens went on a 23-game unbeaten run across all competitions.

Fast-forward to after Argentina dethroned France as world champions and the effects can still be seen.

Christophe Galtier's men have experienced a downward spiral of fortunes. Two of their superstar trio - Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi - reached the final and perhaps might be suffering from the World Cup 'hangover'.

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These two stars, along with Neymar, who also reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup, have not been the same since the return of club football.

2. Summer midfield additions are under-performing

A change of transfer policy by the club saw the acquisition of Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Renato Sanchez and Carlos Soler, per Transfermarkt.

The aforementioned quartet have failed to hit the ground running, failing to shore up the midfield and complimenting the efforts of the effervescent Marco Verratti.

The exits of Iddrisa Gueye, Pablo Sarabia and Ander Herrera have proven to be an unwise decision in hindsight, as PSG continues to struggle against sides with strong midfield presence - playing second fiddle in midfield duels.

3. Ramos in the worst form

Virtually every department on the field is a problem area for PSG. In defence, which has never been a forte at Parc des Princes, Galtier's men have been suspect.

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Ramos' acquisition a few transfer windows ago excited fans of the club, owing to his experience at the top level. But it appears the former Real Madrid talisman is past his prime with his uncharacteristic and questionable defending this term.

Although the 36-year-old has occasionally contributed with a goal amid his great passing range, his and other defenders' form has plunged PSG into a full-blown crisis.

4. Over-reliance on Mbappe, Messi, Neymar

It is not entirely wrong to depend on an attacking trident that can fetch goals at sixes and sevens.

The famous MNM have been phenomenal upfront, scoring 63.63 per cent of PSG's total number of goals in the Ligue 1 thus far.

Nonetheless, on their off days, Messi, Neymar and Mbappe can be an absolute tactical liability with their lack of interest in tracking back or pressing.

Their absence in games is also conspicuous - the club has struggled to pose any threat up front, with their last game against Monaco a perfect testament to their over-reliance on the MNM trio.