Tops / Flops PSG-Reims: Champagne for Verratti, not for Icardi

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Verratti, so precious

We knew him precious for his slaughter in midfield, his inspirations for his partners.

But we knew him less as a scorer.

And yet.

With a strike from the left that surprised Rajkovic, the Italian scored his first goal in Ligue 1 since May 2017. An eternity.

Always as interesting when he shifts his partners, "Little Owl" knew how to be decisive and could even have been credited with a second goal on a shot deflected into the back of his net by the unfortunate Faes.

As always influential in the Parisian game, he is essential in a midfield devoid of players as creative as him.

To discover

• Calendar and results Ligue 1

• League 1 standings

LivePSG power four take on Reims with Messi back

Ramos, a great first at the Parc

For his first tenure at the Parc des Princes, Sergio Ramos has already left his mark. Imperial in the duels, aggressive on the man, the Spanish defender is gaining strength after a start to the season truncated by injury. He also added a goal to his solid performance, his first with Paris. Promising for the future while his agreement with Marquinhos in central defense has known no flourishes.

Mbappé, less successful but still decisive

Usually clinical in front of the opposing goal, Kylian Mbappé this time encountered difficulty in deceiving the vigilance of the Reims goalkeeper. Author of 5 strikes, including 2 on target, he did not find the fault but he still had time to be decisive just before his exit thanks to a decisive pass for Danilo, who followed a good acceleration on the left side .

Messi, an energetic entry

Came after the second Parisian goal after the hour mark, Lionel Messi was expected.

For his 1st match in 2022, the Argentinian was voluntary by requesting several technical relays which hit the mark and helped to accelerate his team's game.

No wonder that against a blunt Reims, PSG rolled out in the wake of the seven-time Ballon d'Or.

He too wants to gain momentum three weeks before the round of 16 first leg against Real.

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Icardi, still disappointing

The matches follow one another and Mauro Icardi is still not convincing at the forefront of the Parisian attack.

The Argentinian seems clumsy, borrowed physically.

I may be the first in the pressing, but he does not weigh on the opposing defense.

Against Reims, he attempted 5 shots and only managed one, being denied a goal at the end of the match for a handling error.

Reims ended up dulling

Reims' first period had been interesting with a desire to press high and some interesting counterattacks badly concluded by the young Ekitike in particular.

But after the break, the Champenois liquefied.

No legs at all, they have only suffered the opposing waves and can come out of this match frustrated.

Di Maria, a complicated

season The season too many for Di Maria?

We can think so.

The Argentinian isn't as impactful as before.

Navigating the full width, he was never able to serve his partners properly and multiplied the bad choices.

An unusual face and a logical exit for the benefit of his much sharper compatriot Messi.