PSG is undoubtedly one of the favorite clubs gunning for the UEFA Champions League this season but it was nothing short of average an outing for the Parisian club as they drew their first group A match against a low-rated Belgian side Club Brugge.
PSG with a litany of stars were considered favorites before the match but football sometimes springs up surprises. With Mbappe, Messi, Neymar, and a host of other brilliant legs that studded the team, they were expected to conquer the Belgian side without any hassles.
However, the home side proved to be more than capable of fending off the array of stars from overpowering them. That begs the question; Are PSG in pole position to make it to the final of the UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE this time and win it with the array of better legs in the team or it’d be the same old music with the same dancing steps?
The addition of the six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi to the side from Barcelona signaled new hope and his pedigree cannot be ignored.
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Should the buck of the team problem or blames stop at the feet of the gaffer? Maybe no coach has ever been fortunate or presented with the mixed blessing Mauricio Pochettino has with Neymar, Mbappe, and now Messi at his disposal.
The players were not at their usual best against the Belgian powerhouse. Each displayed occasional and mouthwatering moments of skill but these were very little glitters and flashes amidst large portions of the match when they were passengers in a match they should have taken with a firm seriousness.
In contrast, Lang and Charles De Ketelaere were consistent threats at the other end and both came close to getting on the scoreline which could have posed an unprecedented upset.
With the addition of Lionel Messi, Georginio Wijnaldum, Sergio Ramos, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, the expectation was over the roof and anything short of brilliant performances and results would be considered a disaster.
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Lots of excuses are flying around for Messi that he’s unfit or struggling for fitness in a new environment but PSG cannot bank on that, with great power, come great responsibility.
Expectations of delivery from Messi are more than high and he’s more considered indispensable for their quest in Europe.
An injury blow to Kylian Mbappe would be a deficit that the club cannot afford this time especially when the stakes are high and how oceans of eyes are hawking around the club’s progress with Messi in the team.
Pundits and football experts are contemplating, and a preponderance of dissections are all over the media on whether Mauricio Pochettino is the right fit to lead the team to win the money-spinning UCL trophy this time or if he’s just like those predecessors that couldn’t clinch the most sought after trophy.
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Truly, it’s just 1 game into the competition but The result from the lenses of the expectant fans and observers is counterproductive and this could pose a threat to their chances of qualification to the next round in a group that also comprises Manchester City and RB Leipzig.
Paris Saint-Germain cannot afford to delve into oblivion in Europe, they must take the grip of this competition which they have been thirsty to win since the taking over by the Qatar investments group held by Nasser Al-Khelaifi in June 2011.
Regardless, they haven’t been able to win the European Competition with over A billion euros spent in player acquisitions. They say to whom much is given, much will be required or expected and the Ligue 1 giants are not an exception.
Kenneth is a an avid soccer follower, fan and writer. He is a consistent follower of the sport and is a fan of Chelsea FC.