Questions asked after three attempts by PSG to win the title

After dominating the championship of France, Paris Saint-Germain suddenly found himself in a strange race of bad form.

Given the future of the PSG, the title of France should have already been won.

Instead, Champagne stayed on the ice three times. PSG drew once and lost twice. He has scored the most goals in three games in more than 30 years.

Since their 2-2 draw at home in Strasbourg, PSG lost 5-1 to Lille and 3-2 to Nantes. It's not since 1985, when PSG scored 11 goals in three games, that the defense lost so many goals. Lille inflicted the PSG's biggest defeat since QSI, the owner of Qatar, took control in 2011.

PSG's German coach Thomas Tuchel has been praised for his tactical innovations as well as for his lightweight comments this season.

Even though he's not kidding now. After the defeat of Nantes, Tuchel seemed sarcastic.

"We were happy not to lose 4-1," he said. "We always defend the players if we feel that they play with a great mentality and a lot of hunger. But today, this is simply not possible.

These comments were fair given the poor quality of the PSG, including a defense composed of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and four international players.

However, they were also somewhat surprising.

Because when striker Kylian Mbappe made similar remarks about a lack of character on the side that followed the rout in Lille, Tuchel firmly contradicted him.

"No, no, no," Tuchel had insisted. "That's not the case, it's too easy (to say).

WAS MBAPPE?

While PSG had to beat Nantes to win the title, Mbappe was left out. It was all the more surprising that Tuchel had already complained of an injury crisis. He did not have eight players injured and suspended, but the winner of the World Cup of France was not even on the bench.

Without him, PSG was helpless against a modest Nantes club in 14th place.

Asked about the absence of his star striker, Tuchel became defensive.

"I do not have to give any explanation," he said. "A punishment, stop with this science fiction, it's not a punishment, it's something that has been decided between us.

Mbappe is expected to return for the home game against Monaco on Sunday, while PSG hopes to seal its eighth league title.

PSG are 17 points clear of Lille, but can win it earlier on Sunday if Lille does not win in Toulouse.

FIGHT AGAINST DEFENSE

PSG's defense seems weaker without Thiago Silva.

Since Silva suffered a knee injury in the first half against Lille, PSG have left four goals scored: two in the second half against Lille and one half-day against Nantes.

There was a strange moment in the second half against Nantes when TV cameras showed left-back Layvin Kurzawa heading for the bench. Exasperated in his voice, the French international comprised of 13 caps challenged PSG tactics while an badistant coach was trying to explain it to him.

The back half Thilo Kehrer seems to be devoid of confidence.

His form has fallen sharply since the 3-1 defeat at home against Manchester United in the last 16 games of the Champions League. Kehrer's bad pbad behind led Romelu Lukaku's goal to open the scoring after just two minutes of play, placing PSG immediately on the back.

Against Nantes, the German international was too easily a victim of the shot on goal for the second goal. After the match, he left the pitch with his head down.

FINAL APPROACH

PSG could ensure a national double by beating Rennes in the final of the Coupe de France on April 27.

Tuchel hopes to have some players back for this match, including Neymar.

The Brazilian star resumed training after returning from a foot injury contracted in January.

He could be in contention, but Silva seems dubious to face a Rennes team with one of the best lines of attack in France.

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