Despite the words of reassurance from Leonardo over the past seven days, there is a significant problem at Paris Saint-Germain right now as their expensively assembled team once again underwhelmed in Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Nice.
2021/2022 Ligue 1
0-0
Match Report
Despite naming an incredibly strong starting XI which included both Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi, Mauricio Pochettino was unable to coax a fluid performance out of his charges, with Nice's defensive resolve proving almost impossible to break.
Kasper Dolberg had the first chance of the game, taking a shot on goal from the edge of the box forcing a brilliant save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The opening 15 minutes saw PSG have 81 percent possession, with Nice clearly setup to try and take a point, and Mbappe almost punished the visitors for it after 20 minutes.
The prodigious French talent was on the end of a fine pass and he broke into the penalty area and forced Walter Benitez into a strong save across his body.
Donnarumma was then called upon once again to make another stunning stop, this time from an Andy Delort header from a cross which was headed towards the top of the PSG net before the Italian clawed it away.
PSG started the second half the stronger of the two teams, forcing saves from Benitez, with Angel Di Maria and Nuno Mendes both going close, but we didn't see the free-flowing football that was promised with the arrival of Messi.
Neymar's absence was felt, and perhaps this is why the Parisian club have fought to secure him to a new contract before Mbappe.
Mbappe then hit the post following a clever pass from Messi, but you could never count Nice out, with Dolberg repeating the feat just minutes later with a header that shaved Donnarumma's left post.
The Ligue 1 title will head to the Parc des Princes this term, the club are already 12 points clear of Marseille, but the lack of cohesive performances domestically is a worry as we head into the knockout stage of the Champions League, which is where Pochettino will be judged, and judged harshly.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
1' KICK-OFF! Who can win this match?
16' Kimpembe makes an important clearance
27' Benitez makes good save
30' Yellow Card! Danilo Pereira booked
31' Donnarumma makes decent save
40' Hakimi's shot wide out
50' Benitez denied Di Maria's shot
59' POST! Dolberg almost score
64' MISS! Mbappe's shot wide out
75' Di Maria's shot wide out
84' Messi's shot over the bar
Line-ups
PSG XI: Messi, Di Maria, Gueye, Danilo Pereira, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mbappe, Donnarumma, Hakimi, E. Ebimbe, Nuno Mendes
Subs: Navas, Verratti, Paredes, Rafinha, Icardi, Kehrer, Diallo, Dagba, E. Michut
Nice XI: Schneiderlin, Dante, Delort, Lemina, W. Benítez, K. Dolberg, J. Lotomba, Kluivert, Bard, H. Boudaoui, Todibo
Subs: Hassane Kamara, A. Claude Maurice, Gouiri, Stengs, Y. Atal, Bulka, L. Da Cunha, K. Thuram-Ulien, F. Daniliuc