This star-trio can’t win the Champions League – powerless Messi and hands-tied Pochettino

When a club invests so much money and energy in building a team, then the entire public has the absolute right to criticize them after such a bad performance – against a team that was created in a similar way, but football-wise seems to be a decade ahead. Paris Saint-Germain was disappointing to say the least in last night’s Group A derby, which was not too important, because it decided only who will take the first place and the privileged position in the knock-out stages. Even so, it gave a clear picture of the situation in the most famous team on the planet.On the pitch, the class was confirmed only by Manchester City, where the fruits of Josep Guardiola’s work and perseverance in the smallest details were clearly visible.Football extravaganza at Emirates! Guardiola’s well-oiled machine couldn’t be touched by PSGRespectable L’Equipe rated Lionel Messi’s performance with a ‘four’ after the game, and we are quite sure that the Argentine has never been so cruelly ‘rewarded’ by such an important media in his career. A clear explanation followed.”Yes, he provided the deciding pass to Mbappe for the goal. Yes, he initiated some dangerous situations in front of the opponent’s goal with his work between the lines, but we have the right to expect more from the six-time Ballon d’Or winner.”He has to do more in the build up. Some of his last-third decisions and attacking actions were blocked or unsuccessful. Sometimes it seemed more than worrying that he was powerless against the opposing defenders,” reads L’Equipe’s analysis.Ander Herrera, Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi also received the same low score after the match, while Neymar and Kylian Mbappe got a ‘five’. Another ‘four’ was PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino, who left the impression of already being a former coach of the Saints. Even if his decision to leave Paris is not final, it could happen soon, because there is no clear solution for the Parisians.Pochettino to Manchester? No way, Zinedine Zidane is blocking the dealOn the other hand, there is a lot of speculation about his departure to Manchester United, i.e. the arrival of Zinedine Zidane to the ‘City of Lights’. The possibility of this scenario being very close to realization could be sensed from the statements of the Argentine after the match, when he did not want to confirm or deny the speculations.”We can’t talk about it, because of my respect for Paris Saint-Germain, as well as respect for another club. What the other club does is none of my business. I have to be focused on Paris Saint-Germain. I’m very happy in Paris, I’m focused to give my best for the club, as I do.”I was a Paris Saint-Germain player, I love this club and the fans, I think the time I spend at the club is fantastic.”, Pochettino said straight after the match.He just loves England: Pochettino willing to change PSG for ManchesterOver at the UK, great names of the game believe that PSG has exhausted the great strategist and that he can no longer find a way to improve the team, and that in a situation where he has to keep Neymar, Messi and Mbappe on the pitch – he will not be able to win the Champions League. On the other hand, it is believed that United would have much more space to improve the game of the stumbled squad.”He can’t drop Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Of course they are good enough but playing like that they won’t win the Champions League.”, Michael Owen is convinced.The former Liverpool and Real Madrid goal scorer believes that the Red Devils missed a great chance last summer, when they kept Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, instead of chasing after the Argentine, while he was not yet committed to a multi-year contract with the Parisians. Thus, his eventual arrival in England would now cost them around 13.5 million USD.”Poch is a fascinating one. Manchester United could have had him for nothing a few months ago and now they are going to have to pay a absolute fortune to get him out of PSG and nothing has changed at Manchester United.”, Owen said.Thierry Henry questions if Mauricio Pochettino is allowed to “have a go” at PSG’s front three 😬 pic.twitter.com/dvXkNhP9Rs— GOAL (@goal) November 25, 2021 His former national team colleague, Rio Ferdinand indirectly invited Pochettino to the Theater of Dreams.”You can’t deny the quality of these three, but to win big trophies, you can’t have this situation. I think Pochettino can do more with the Manchester United team than with Paris Saint-Germain. A team like PSG selects itself. Can he turn them into a winning team? I’m not sure. I think he can do that with Manchester United.” Ferdinand said.Even more specific was the former Liverpool captain, Jamie Carragher.”If he’s got the chance to go to Manchester United… I’d be gone tomorrow.”I honestly would and it’s because of those three stars (Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar).”🗣️ “We are living in a business where rumours are there”Mauricio Pochettino admits his PSG players know the situation as he continues to be linked to the Manchester United job pic.twitter.com/G4EAtrjzBK— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 25, 2021 Thierry Henry added fuel to the fire with a statement that he is concerned with the style of play – more specifically the complete absence of the participation of the three stars in the defense.”If you want to win the Champions League, you cannot defend with seven players. It is impossible, I don’t care who you are. The full backs are exposed, so it’s virtually a three vs one, three vs two on the pitch.”Team that win titles – and the Champions League even more so – have their front-three facing the ball. That way the full backs will feel more comfortable with what’s going on behind them.”But right now they’re too exposed. Teams in France cannot expose them, but Man City can. “Pochettino is not allowed to be Pochettino at times with that team.” said Henry.

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