Lionel Messi failed to register a goal or an assist as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with AS Monaco in their Ligue 1 clash at the Parc des Princes on Sunday (August 28).
Regardless, the Argentine was able to make his impact felt by being more involved in the build-up play later in the game, as noted by his teammate Marco Verratti.
It proved to be a disappointing outing for PSG in the French capital. The Parisians entered the game sluggishly, allowing the away side to draw first blood via a Kevin Volland strike around the 20-minute mark.
Christophe Galtier's men looked much more lively in the second half and were able to restore parity when Neymar beat the goalkeeper from the spot 20 minutes to full-time. Speaking after the match, Marco Verratti explained that putting Lionel at the heart of the game turned the situation around for PSG.
The Italian said via Prime Video Sport France:
“It was more difficult in the first half. After that, we changed a little bit. We put Lionel Messi more in the heart of the game. We managed to find him more in the second half and we know that when he touches the ball, something happens."
It goes without saying that Monaco got more than they could've hoped for against PSG yesterday. The odds were against the Monegasques but they rose to the occasion and gave their opponents a run for their money away from home.
Marco Verratti has confessed that the Parisians were caught by surprise with the level of intensity with which the visitors played during the game. The midfielder said:
“I think we didn’t play a good game in the first 30 minutes. We were surprised by the intensity of Monaco. After that, we played a good game for 60 minutes."
Lionel Messi's numbers for PSG so far this season
Unlike last season, Messi has wasted no time in making his impact felt at the Parc des Princes this term. He scored once in the Trophees de Champions clash with Nantes last month, helping the Parisians claim their first honor of the season.
The Argentine followed it up with another splendid display in PSG's Ligue 1 opener against Clermont Foot. Overall, Messi has recorded four goals and two assists to his name in five appearances for the French giants across all competitions.
Could Lionel Messi's changed position inspire PSG to the Champions League title? More details here
Fihacekry
46
PSG team is full of players who is playing for self glory except few.. Yesterday there were more than 30 moments when player could have easily passed to other player to have a better chance and could have easily won the game but no eveyone one of them will try to dribble unnecessary lose ball of take a shot which was not even necessary.. PSG is team of star player but they don't play as a team and will never win UCL if they continue to play like this.
Mij10
30
Disastrous show from psg, selfish play all around except messi, no team spirit, no movement, predictable gameplay, immatured mpabbe, no hunger for goals or win, no midfield creativity..... this team even can't make to quarter finals of ucl if they continue playing like this....when messi goes up, the midfield can't manage to send the ball up and when he drops down like a midfielder to send the ball up, others can't utilize it properly in the third final...they don't know what to do, a confused team, no style of play... Mbappe is like alws in competition with messi, don't pass to messi whnever messi is in a suitable scoring position, never ever... They should play centering messi or neymar, mbappe is a great player no doubt but he has not the ability to drag a team to glory yet like messi did in barca and arg or neymar in brazil... They should get some morality and style fo play in the club...pathetic to see messi in this club
TheDuke001
15
As a striker it is natural and somewhat expected for you to be a bit selfish, but for you to waste scoring opportunities when you're behind in the game and trying to equalise is just foolish. It is wise to pass to the player who is in the best position to have a good shot on goal. When you have a good and healthy lead in the game, you can then choose to be selfish. There is no point in having all 3 word-class forwards in the same team, if you're not going to make use of the spaces they will create by drawing defenders; this is the attribute of messi's game that allows him to assist as often as he does; he attracts defenders to himself, creating space for others and his vision and passing ability settles the rest. Mbappe is young, has a long way to go and has the chance to learn a lot from his teammates. He should take advantage of that now, and add more facets to his game, instead of glory-hunting. Messi learnt from his teammates (Ronaldhino, xavi, iniesta, eto, riqueleme etc) and was able to take his talent to the maximum with grit, hardwork and discipline. Mbappe should do the same, you don't become the best overnight.
Grandpa125
13
Vahid Halilhodžić (former PSG player & coach): “Messi is like a football school. In his position, he focuses more on helping Neymar and Mbappé rather than scoring and thinking about the Ballon d’Or. This is what I saw yesterday.”