Updated:16/09/2021 19:50h
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With hope, the Paris Saint Germain They started their way in the Champions League knowing that they have the best squad in their history and that this is the ideal season, the best opportunity in decades, to lift their first apricot and match Marseille as the only French teams to be European champions. After the continuity of Mbappé and the meeting of the binomial Messi-Neymar, expectations are through the roof; although his European debut has generated a sea of criticism in France after the draw against Bruges, a priori, the weakest rival in a group that is completed by Manchester City and Leipzig.
The most expensive squad in the world, with the permission of the humble cast of Guardiola’s team, arrived at the Jan Breydel Stadion in Bruges with the assurance of a title favorite: with the gleaming premiere trident and with a team full of stars in every line despite to the casualties of Sergio Ramos, Verratti or Di María. And, certainly, he entered the game well. A dominating game and a great Mbappé led to the 0-1 score in the 15th minute, the work of Ander Herrera after a nice assist from the forward wanted by Real Madrid.
Against the prognosis, the local team got up after the goal, lost respect for the giant and he went for the draw, which soon came in the boots of the best man of the match, the captain Hans Vanaken (minute 27). From that moment, the PSG attack disappeared: only Messi with a shot that repelled the crosshead and a hand in hand that stopped Mingolet put the Belgians in trouble.
The minutes ran, Neymar went unnoticed and the local team, through several occasions by Lang and Vanaken, threatened the goal of Keylor, who ended up being the most decisive player in the French team.
Mbappé, injured
Despite the unexpected draw, the worst news for PSG was the Kylian Mbappé injury. In the opening moments of the second half, while driving the ball in one of its ripped characteristics, the Frenchman was blocked by his former teammate Nsoki and had to leave the match with a notable limp. After the meeting, Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged that “Mbappé has had problems with both ankles”Although, at the moment, the capital club has not yet communicated the extent of the injury.
After commenting on the physical condition of the young star, the Argentine coach acknowledged that his team must be “Much stronger in all areas” if they want to come up with real options to win the tournament at the end of the season.
However, the former Tottenham player was confident with the future performance of the trident: «We need time to work, for them to understand each other, to do good things between the three of us. I saw many good things in them, but they need time to consolidate, I think that the players not only need more training but more competition to really know each other more, but I repeat, I think they have met and I think that the problem today was not there, but that we were not as solid as we should be in a Champions League match: we conceded a goal that is difficult to accept».
On the official debut of MessiPochettino pointed out: I am happy with his performance that combines will, attitude and also his adaptation. It is clear that both he and the entire group of players who came here were not happy because the objective is to win while at a club like PSG.
The Parisians compete again this weekend against a tough rival in Ligue 1, the Lyon olympic. It will be Leo Messi’s first contact with his new league and with his new stadium, the Parque de los Príncipes.
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