PSG, Lionel Messi and the doubts around Pochetino’s credentials

PSG, Lionel Messi and the doubts around Mauricio Pochettino’s credentials

 

It didn't go as planned for PSG against Club Brugge on Wednesday night as it ended 1-1 on the night. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

You don’t ask for the sun and then complain of heat, you don’t pray for the rain and then fail to drill appropriate drainage system, you have to live with the flood, it’s a consequence of your desire, tell it to Mauricio Pochettino, he has no excuses whatsoever.

Club Brugge of Belgium hosted a star-studded PSG side on Wednesday night and most pundits expected just one outcome, a win for the French club or nothing but it didn’t go as planned for punters who must rue how much they probably have lost to bookmakers.

How did Club Brugge prepare for the visit of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe? 

They were fearless, they conceded first and didn’t stop believing, reminding the visitors from time to time that they’re not afraid and when the chance came, they made no mistake.

Let’s talk about game management, the idea of holding on to possession to control the game didn’t work for PSG and Pochettino didn’t feel it was time to change it as the game wore on.

The Belgian side grew into the game and became too strong to be handled.

Let’s face it, PSG must win the Champions League, with the amount of quality in the squad, there’s no hiding place for the former Tottenham manager, but how long more does he have on the job to prove he’s the man to lead them forward?

Presnel Kimpembe will probably be relegated to the bench once Sergio Ramos is fit to play and maybe Donnarumma to replace Keylor Navas as well, these are player swaps that could probably strengthen the team but is the manager the overall weak link?

PSG lead the way as expected in the French Ligue 1 but it hasn’t been really pretty so far.

Not all the four wins were convincing but a win is a win they will tell you, one thing that is certain is that the Qatari set up didn’t invest so much in the team to watch them limp to narrow wins.

Lionel Messi wasn’t much of a difference in the 1-1 draw with Club Brugge.

He had his moments, his runs but all amounted to nothing, so you wonder what the best role will be for him in the squad, a member of the front trio? In the hole behind the striker or as a central midfielder?

Mbappe was forced off with an injury early on and the introduction of Mauro Icardi didn’t change anything to the favor of the Parisiens, and Neymar was just being Neymar. 

What should we expect from PSG going forward?