Lionel Messi’s domestic struggles continue as he could not find the back of the net before he was surprisingly subbed off at half time by PSG boss Mauricio Pochetinno with PSG trailing 1-0 against Lille.
Although PSG eventually turned the game around with a leveler by Marquinhos in the 77 minutes before Angel Do Maria went on to hit a late winner during stoppage time.
Questions were asked as regards the decision to replace Messi with Icardi at halftime but Pochetinno maintains the sixth time Balon Dor winner was withdrawn “as a precaution”.
Explaining the reason for taking Messi off to Amazon Prime, he said: “It’s a precaution. We spoke with the doctor. He couldn’t continue, but it’s not serious. He will be available for the next match.”
He further stated that: “I don’t think the problem was not playing a striker in the first half. I think it’s because Lille knows us well and we couldn’t get the balls to our offensive players as much as we wanted but overall, I think the win was a deserved one. The boys worked hard.”
There were understandably sky-high expectations when Messi made the dramatic move to Paris following his release by Barcelona over the summer.
Expectations were understandably up to the roof when Messi switched to Paris during the summer transfer window but Friday’s blank against Lille now means the forward has not scored or assisted a goal in five league appearances.
If it is a consolation, he has three goals in the Champions League; a double against RB Leipzig and a goal against Manchester City.
PSG boss, Pochetinno does not seem too disturbed with Messi’s form as it has not stopped them from getting results. PSG have won 10 out of their 12 league matches, with a 10 point gap lead at the top of the League 1 table.
