Tops
Messi unrecognizable, but ...
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The question has arisen since the start of the season: where is the great Lionel Messi, the six-time Ballon d'Or who still carried FC Barcelona on his shoulders last season? He was not at Geoffroy-Guichard: the Parisian number 30 has multiplied imprecise passes or in the wrong tempo and unnecessary ball conduct. On a shot pushed back from Neymar, he found a way to shoot aside, although lonely at 16 meters on his left foot (69th). Yes, but here it is: a cross from a free kick for Marquinhos (45th + 2), a hook then shift for Di Maria (79th) and a new center millimeter for Marquinhos (90th + 1) have been converted into goals. By being unspecified throughout the match, Messi brought PSG out of a quagmire under the snow of Saint-Etienne. If the form is temporary, the class is eternal.
Étienne Green had tied the cape
He saw himself for a long time as the superhero of the Greens.
By winning his first face-to-face with Kylian Mbappé (14th), Étienne Green entered his match.
And perhaps in the head of the French striker, against whom he managed an incredible left hand reflex parade before half-time (41st).
Just before, he captured a vicious low cross from Hakimi (39th) and disgusted Neymar (40th), not once but twice (69th).
He can do nothing on the Parisian goals.
SEE ALSO -
The incredible story of Etienne Green, destined to play for the Greens
Boudebouz made his law in the middle
His ball catches were breaths of fresh air for ASSE.
Positioned in a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, Ryad Boudebouz flaunted his technique, his information taking and his self-sacrifice, he who was sick this week.
He won 10 of his 11 duels and succeeded in his 4 attempted dribbles.
Elusive, as on the pressing of Neymar forced to commit a fault (49th).
His accuracy coupled with the dropouts of Khazri posed big problems for the Parisians before half-time.
Flops
Not Mbappé's day
With 7 goals and 7 assists in 13 Ligue 1 matches before this Sunday, Kylian Mbappé is surely the best Parisian of this first third of the season.
It was not seen in Geoffroy-Guichard: the French striker lost two face-to-face with Étienne Green (14th, 41st) and never bore fruit in his incessant calls, except on the red card provoked by Timothée Kolodziejczak (45th).
Erased in the second half.
A PSG still not imperial
The first 35 minutes in Paris prove one thing: Mauricio Pochettino has a job.
Saint-Étienne, 19th in Ligue 1, has proven like others this season that this PSG is crumbly when pressed high, and that its defensive transitions leave something to be desired.
Sergio Ramos' debut does not (yet) solve all the problems.
The absences of Verratti and Herrera did not help, admittedly.
And with more success, Paris would have folded the match just before half-time.
But the trio, even the offensive quartet, if it has given a glimpse of scraps of combinations, is still not up to expectations.
Kolodziejczak sees red
Not sure that all residents of Forez will validate this arbitration decision.
Just before half-time, Thimothée Kolodziejczak mowed down Kylian Mbappé with a slipped tackle while the Parisian went to goal (45th).
The fault is clear, without being violent.
But Mickaël Nadé was perhaps not left behind by Mbappé.
So, annihilation of a clear scoring opportunity?
For Mr. Brisard, it was yes, and at 10 against 11 in the second half, Saint-Étienne never again challenged Parisian domination despite a certain solidity in the low block.
Neymar, the sad image
His encouraging match ended very badly.
On a tackle from Miguel Trauco, Neymar saw his left ankle twist on the cold lawn of Geoffroy-Guichard (84th).
The Brazilian immediately waved to his bench, wincing in pain.
With his head in his hands, he was evacuated on a stretcher under the avoidable whistles of the Saint-Etienne public.
The Parisian supporters hold their breath while waiting to know the duration of the unavailability of their number 10, decidedly cursed when it comes to injuries.
