Replace Disk: PSG Wants to Release Pressure | Israel today

An MRI scan determined that Leo Messi is suffering from a knee injury and will be absent from tonight's PSG game against Metz.

At the same time, the test results put an end to the turbulent days of the French runner-up and coach Mauricio Pochettino, a reminder of the events of the game against Lyon on Sunday.

Pochettino replaced Messi in the 76th minute, and then the saga began: the Argentine star congratulated his replacement Ashraf Hakimi, but ignored his coach on his way to the bench.

There, when Mauro Icardi's goal was scored in the 93rd minute, Messi was photographed still preoccupied with his own affairs and less happy with his team's happy affairs.

For the local media this was the first signal to make a mess.

Throughout the last few days, while newspapers and commentators sharpened knives, Pochettino made it clear that the reason for Messi's replacement was injury.

Yesterday at the press conference he elaborated: "After his kick to the goal we saw that he touched the injured knee. After 75 minutes, and with the early information we had, we decided to make the substitution."

The information that Pochettino is talking about is an injury Messi suffered about three weeks ago in Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Venezuela, which left him bruised and in pain.

The star felt pain in the same place, so it was replaced.

On Tuesday in training, the two were photographed in a good mood, and the test results that arrived last night made it clear that this was indeed the case.

"I was not surprised by everything that happened after the substitution," Pochettino clarified, "that's how champions are, they never want to get off the grass."

Messi, Ambape and Neymar.

The business is not connecting yet, IPI

"More improvement needed"

Although this story seems to be behind, and despite a perfect balance in the league, PSG's season opener does not meet expectations.

The Messi-Neymar-Ambape trio is still unable to connect, and his presence seems to be burdensome and difficult for the team.

It stood out against Lyon and especially against Club Brugge in the Champions League.

That will likely be enough for the French league, but ahead of the important game against Manchester City next week in the Champions League, the City of Lights team is aware that business must rise.

"We must keep going and we must move forward, we have a lot of work to do," Neymar stated.

"More improvement is needed," added Pochettino, who is aware that his team need to provide much more than just three points.

Messi's injury slightly disrupts the Argentines' playing sequence and attempts to include him in the team, but apart from that there is still a lot of work to be done.

Ginny Vinaldom has not yet found his place in the lineup either, Sergio Ramos is still injured and Marco Verratti is slowly recovering.