Barcola, an additional solution in number 9?

Imprecise within the final gesture however sole scorer towards AJ Auxerre (0-1), Bradley Barcola confirmed qualities throughout his repositioning to the quantity 9 place.

Bradley Barcola is the person who’s attracting consideration after PSG’s tough victory at AJ Auxerre (0-1) this Friday in Ligue 1. After as soon as once more exhibiting poor ending, the quantity 29 of the Rouge & Bleu managed to seek out the fault on the finish of the match, on a serve from Ousmane Dembélé.

Barcola, PSG’s high scorer in Ligue 1

In Burgundy, the French worldwide touched 49 balls, shot 5 occasions on objective and made variations within the one-on-one, whereas providing options in depth. He scored his second objective in 2026 and his seventh objective of the season in Ligue 1, making him the French champions’ high scorer within the league forward of João Neves and Ousmane Dembélé (5 objectives). “Statistical parts which solely imperfectly replicate what we have now seen: as a result of for a very long time, on Friday, Barcola gave arguments to its detractors. First by shedding his first two duels towards Donovan Léon (2nd) however above all by making a collection of questionable ultimate decisions,” notes L’Equipe. After the match, Bradley Barcola didn’t disguise his ineffectiveness towards the objective: “A objective that makes me really feel good? Sure, it feels good. I sinned loads on this match however I’m rewarded with this objective, however I’m joyful in the long run. »

The previous Lyonnais clearly suffers from a scarcity of lucidity in entrance of objective after intense races. However may the answer come from a extra axial repositioning, like Ousmane Dembélé final season? “Luis Enrique made this selection on Friday on the hour mark with the exit of Gonçalo Ramos. And immediately, with Dembélé within the main place, Barcola, definitely helped by the areas left by the AJA, provided some very fascinating axial races. » If his dive within the 63rd minute of play was not adjusted, the 23-year-old striker discovered the fault within the eightieth, regardless of a final contact that was too lengthy. “Is a extra sturdy axial substitute potential? He would drive Luis Enrique to evaluate his animations. However Barcola, used for a really very long time in coaching at OL on this place, has actual benchmarks as a 9. In sure match configurations – not towards the low blocks – the quantity 29 would deliver, on this axial place, his distinctive sense of depth. The controversy actually deserves to be requested. It’s as much as Luis Enrique to feed him,” concludes L’E.

Bradley Barcola, PSG’s providential man within the championship 🇫🇷

A particularly vital objective, the Parisians regain the lead in Ligue 1 👀#AJAPSG pic.twitter.com/UOaoC7MXJM

— L1+ (@ligue1plus)
January 23, 2026