Sticks to Messi … and Pochettino

The debut of Leo Messi in the Parque de los Príncipes, in addition to leaving us for our memory the image of the change of the Argentine in the final stretch, has us the first criticisms of the media from Paris to Rosario. The newspaper Le Parisien, practically official bulletin of the Parisian team, yesterday titled a story referring to Messi as “intermittent” after failing to score against Olympique Lyonnais.

The former Barcelona player went from more to less, to the point of being replaced by Pochettino. Although a priori it seemed a technical decision, the change was due to some discomfort in the left knee that dragged from Venezuela-Argentina on September 3. “Messi is withering away. Head lower and lower, walk and no longer weigh in the game “, Le Parisien underlined in his columns to talk about Messi’s match against Lyon.

Messi was one step away from releasing his locker on Sunday, but a great save from Lopes in the first half, in addition to the crossbar in a great free kick from the Argentine, they avoided it. Tomorrow, against Metz, bottom of Ligue 1, the reigning Copa América champion with Argentina has a golden opportunity to reclaim himself and start writing his history in Paris.

Pochettino, complicated decisions

Like Messi, Le Parisien has also had words for Pochettino, whom they consider “daring” after lining up the fantastic four in attack against Lyon and also for the management of the competition between Donnarumma and Keylor Navas. Regarding the change of Messi, the Parisian newspaper emphasizes that the coach was able to replace him to show that he does not wrinkle before anyone in the locker room, although the decision was simply taken as a precaution. Against Brugge, Pochettino did not hesitate to remove Paredes and Wijnaldum at half-time, as well as to start Kehrer on the right back against Lyon, in a message to Achraf that he cannot relax on the right wing.

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With Donnarumma and Keylor Navas, in France they continue to wonder what is the pattern that Pochettino is following when aligning one or the other. The technician is strictly complying with what he said two weeks ago, that is, make decisions before each game based on the states of form. The Italian has played the last two games in Ligue 1, while Keylor has started the only Champions League game. According to LÉquipe, for Pochettino, the leadership of Keylor Navas is indisputable and, in his mind, the Costa Rican is still the incumbent.

Without Ramos and without Verratti at 100%, Le Parisien has also excused Pochettino, of whom nothing can yet be prosecuted because he has barely had two games with Messi, Neymar and Mbappé and because, as of September 21, he has still not been able to field his full starting team. However, the latest decisions have sown doubts in the French capital and the season will be decided by the type of management that the coach makes in a changing room full of stars and with a lot of ego.