Mauricio Pochettino’s debut with PSG ends disappointingly

Paris Saint-Germain's Argentinian coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures during the French L1 football match between Paris-Saint Germain (PSG) and Saint-Etienne on January 6, 2021 at Geoffroy Guichard stadium in Saint-Etienne. (Photo by Philippe DESMAZES / AFP) (Photo by PHILIPPE DESMAZES/AFP via Getty Images)

DBasia.news – Mauricio Pochettino failed to produce a positive result on his debut with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). Les Parisiens failed to win in the new coach’s debut match.

Visiting Saint-Etienne’s headquarters in the continued 2020-2021 Ligue 1, Thursday (7/1), PSG was only able to draw 1-1. These results has made them increasingly behind Olympique Lyon who leads the standings.

In his debut match, Pochettino applied a 4-3-3 formation. He played Kylian Mbappe, Moise Kean and Angel Di Maria as a front line trio.

Unfortunately this scheme did not seem to work perfectly. It was proven that PSG lost in terms of possession.

PSG even had to be left behind in this match. Keylor Navas’ goal was conceded by Romain Hamouma in the 19th minute.

Luckily Kean was able to equalize two minutes later. However, no additional goals were created until the game was over.

Pochettino cited the lack of preparation time as the reason for this minor result. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss was indeed appointed as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel just four days before this match was held.

“I’m of course a little disappointed because we are PSG, so we have to win. But after three days we have a little bit of time to prepare,” Pochettino told Telefoot.

“There are many things we have to improve on. It is not the result we wanted, but it is clear that Saint-Etienne deserves this result.”

“We are trying to apply different concepts, but I am glad the players are trying to apply them. I am happy with their efforts and attitude but we have to improve the game with the ball,” he concluded.