Bruges-PSG: Messi featured in Parisians' last training

The first Parisians discovered the beautiful lawn of the Jan-Breydel stadium in Bruges in restful silence on the eve of a match which will be sold out in front of 30,000 spectators, including nearly 1,500 Parisians.

The three goalkeepers retained in the group which flew from Le Bourget in the morning, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Keylor Navas and Alexandre Letellier, took the direction of the goal reserved on the side.

Face very relaxed, the Italian European champion will be the only one to greet Leonardo and Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, with a fist check for the first and a warm embrace for the second.

The photographers are all turned to Lionel Messi on the eve of his European debut with Paris pic.twitter.com/4SOSOMhjUu

- The Parisian |

PSG (@le_Parisien_PSG) September 14, 2021

But, very quickly, the crackling of the cameras is heard and will hardly cease during the fifteen minutes open to the press. Lionel Messi has just arrived on the ground. The Argentinian will make his Champions League debut this Wednesday evening with a shirt other than Barça's. He is obviously the most awaited Parisian even if the cliché hoped for by all remains the one alongside Neymar and Mbappé. Between two short warm-up games, including an intense toro, the three men will meet side by side. Will we see them together against Bruges, aligned for the first time? “Yes, maybe…” Mauricio Pochettino breathed a little earlier with a knowing smile.

In any case, the Argentinian coach did not give any indication of his intentions in the composition of his two teams during this last session since he mixed the probable holders, some with and others without a chasuble.

Navas the closed face

Without Verratti who remained in Paris to observe a ten-day rest period to treat his left knee, Paris would have to come forward with a midfielder Wijnaldum, Paredes, Herrera.

Behind his infernal trio who will challenge the experienced Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

If the defense promises to be unsurprising (Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Diallo), it remains to be seen who Pochettino will start in the goal.

"I will decide game after game," he said on Tuesday.

Not sure that Keylor Navas appreciates this new rule of the game. In any case, the Costa Rican goalkeeper joined the PSG bus, his face closed, at 7.45pm, after the session, even if he took the time to address a little hello to the Belgian supporters who tried to see him over the barriers.

Messi was expected ... #Bruges #LigueDesChampions pic.twitter.com/WHYuOVLC5E

- The Parisian |

PSG (@le_Parisien_PSG) September 14, 2021

Obviously, when Messi arrived at 8 p.m. fans redoubled their enthusiasm despite the rain, with some even flying an Argentinian flag in front of him.

In the process, Kylian Mbappé was also given a standing ovation.

The Parisian striker smiled broadly as if he was reveling in advance of the upcoming program ...