09/16/2021 12:51 PM
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 09/16/2021 12:51 PM
Paris Saint Germain debuted this Wednesday in the Champions League with a pale 1-1 draw against Bruges of Belgium and the expectations that were around the world with the team of the new galactics were fading with the running of 90 minutes. And
instead of praise and applause,
the most anticipated football event of the year, which featured the premiere of Lionel Messi as the starter and as part of a luxury trident completed by Kylian Mbappé and Neymar,
became the target of harsh criticism and questioning .
Keylor Navas;
Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Abdou Diallo;
Ander Herrera, Leandro Paredes, Georginio Wijnaldum;
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
They were the eleven headlines that Mauricio Pochettino chose.
Figures wherever you look and search.
Huge individualities.
But the team did not appear on a collective level.
There were almost no connections, just isolated plays and, at times, the modest Bruges managed the game at will.
The French press was totally disappointed with PSG's presentation.
"Neymar and Messi did not help", "Little incisive in the last thirty meters and little involved in the pressure, Neymar and Messi did not tip the balance for PSG in Bruges,"
said the sports daily L'Équipe.
Before the game, all smiles.
Neymar and Messi hardly associated.
Photo: AFP
And he added:
"Defensively, Messi did not participate. Offensively, Neymar showed little inspiration in the last 30 meters with Paris-Saint-Germain against Bruges."
In Le Parisien they also abounded on the performance of the luxury trident that Pochettino put on the court:
"The 'MNM', the Messi-Neymar-Mbappé association, still does not respond."
And he did not walk around when judging his performance in Bruges.
"Associated for the first time in attack this season, Messi, Neymar and Mbappé did not shine. None of the three scored and they met little. The MNM continues to be a great project."
Which was lapidary with the performance of the PSG and Messi special was Michael Owen, the exdelantero of the England team in 2001 took over the Golden Ball.
Messi crashed a left-footed shot against a crossbar.
Photo: AP
"They are phenomenal players, but the three together are weaker and I do not understand that they are one of the favorite teams to win the Champions League. I think the English teams are very, very superior. In fact, I think signings like those of ( Gianluigi) Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos add to them more chances of winning it than someone like Messi, "said Owen, who currently serves as a commentator on BT Sports.
And he elaborated: "I think that the arrival of Messi makes PSG weak also because there are not so many connections between Mbappé and Neymar."
Very tough, although not far from the self-criticism that Pochettino made as soon as the match ended in Belgium.
"We need time to work, for the three to understand each other and for the three to be able to play well. It was clear and I explained it in recent days: we have to form a team," said the DT.
Now, with Mbappé injured, we will have to wait to see the three together again.
Even more than before, all eyes will be on the MNM.
Will there be chemistry between the three?
The memes of the false premiere of PSG
I watched the entire psg game waiting for messi neymar and mbappe to make a GOOD PASS (it did not happen) while on another channel the city and leipzig scored NINE goals pic.twitter.com/5WNyCnt4qw
- La Troglioneta (@troglioneta) September 15, 2021
With Messi, Neymar and Mbappé on the court, Charles De Ketelaere was the player with the most chances created [5] and the most duels won [9] of the match.
Only 20 years.
pic.twitter.com/fPXjVByJ1f
- Sudanalytics (@sudanalytics_) September 15, 2021
In fact, Bruges has 6 shots and PSG 4 in a team that has Messi, Mbappé and Neymar.
The Belgians are doing a great game and PSG is seeing that in the Champions League the name does not matter if there is not a great collective work behind it.
- Andrés Onrubia Ramos (@AndiOnrubia) September 15, 2021
Pochetino: puts Messi, Neymar and Mbappe
Balanta: pic.twitter.com/5dyOOg4Ewb
- Abel Cuder (@AbelCuder) September 15, 2021
Can Messi, Neymar and Mbappé play together?
Of course yes.
But Pochettino must adjust the defensive block when the team loses the ball.
Tactical intensity is lacking rather than physical.
PSG dangerously long, which makes it look bad in that transition.
- Vicente Muglia (@VicenMuglia) September 15, 2021
Messi, Neymar and Mbappé?
Completely outraged by Eder Álvarez Balanta.
From River to the world.
pic.twitter.com/npPHzkmVXE
- Ander Villacis (@villacis_ander) September 15, 2021