Akliouche struggles to impress at PSG despite five starts in six matches

Maghnes Akliouche is experiencing a mixed start to the season at PSG: five starts in six matches, but performances that struggle to convince, as in the home fixture against Bratislava where he was overshadowed by his attacking partners.

Positioned on the left wing, the former AS Monaco player suffered in comparison with Ferran Torres, who scored twice, and Ousmane Dembélé, who compiled two goals and two assists. Akliouche, for his part, recorded only one assist, following a run down the right flank. His defensive involvement — in ball recovery and defensive positioning — was noted, but was not enough to dispel doubts about his attacking output.

Former world champion Emmanuel Petit was direct in his analysis. “Plenty of good intentions, he’s not really rewarded in the game. He’s very sloppy with a lot of technical waste. I noticed his movements were poorly coordinated with some of his teammates. He did some good things in his positioning but sometimes he went to places where there was already someone. We know that PSG’s tactical structure is very important for the fluidity of play.”

For Petit, the solution could involve a repositioning. “I remain convinced that his future is in midfield,” he said. “He has more qualities in work rate, in running volume, in technique. More there than on a wing where you need to be incisive.”

The question therefore arises for Luis Enrique: continue to field the French international in a wide attacking role, or give him a more central role that would better suit his profile? With five starts in six matches, the Spanish coach is clearly showing him confidence — it remains to be seen whether Akliouche can capitalize on this to establish himself permanently in the PSG starting XI.