Lionel Messi were sluggish against Club Brugge

DBasia.news – Every step that PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) has taken this season has been in the spotlight after their transfer maneuvers in the summer. Especially in the Champions League with the club’s ambition to win it.

PSG’s journey began at Jan Breydel Stadium, the headquarters of Club Brugge in the Champions League group A phase one match which took place Thursday (16/09) am, WIB. On paper, the prediction is favoring PSG.

But miracles and surprises often happen in the Champions League. That’s what happened in Belgium. With the support of the host fans, Club Brugge coached by Philippe Clement was able to hold PSG to a draw.

For the first time fans saw the debut of PSG’s trident containing Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, and Lionel Messi. The big names of the three as well as the statistics of each player were already terrible.

Messi in the Champions League has a record: 149 games, 120 goals, 36 assists, Neymar: 69 games, 41 goals, 26 assists, and Mbappe: 45 games, 27 goals, 16 assists. All three were immediately played by Mauricio Pochettino.

Football is a collective sport and Club Brugge proved it. The hosts lost possession (36%) and it is understandable for PSG’s individual quality (with 64% possession).

However, Club Brugge was more committed with 16 shots and seven on target, one of which resulted in a goal from Hans Vanaken in the 27th minute. The match ended in a 1-1 draw and uniquely, it was not Neymar, Messi or Mbappe who scored PSG’s goal but the central midfielder, Ander Herrera (15′).

For your information, no player has scored more goals for PSG this season than Herrera (four goals).

“No one in the team can be happy with their performance and no one can be happy with this result. We came here to take points. All points,” said Pochettino.

“Hats off (salute) to Club Brugge. They wanted it more than us tonight and they deserved the points.”

“We need time to work for them (Messi, Neymar and Mbappe) to build understanding. It’s obvious and we’ve said it in recent days. We still have to make a team.”

The draw tarnished Lionel Messi’s record in the Champions League. La Pulga (33 years old) is the fourth player to reach 150 appearances (or more) in the Champions League. Above him are Iker Casillas (177 games), Cristiano Ronaldo (177 games), and Xavi (151 games).