Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are not great defenders. This could unbalance the game of PSG.
Lionel Messi finally scored his first goal for Paris Saint-Germain over the past week in their UEFA Champions League clash against Manchester City.
The Argentine maestro made his debut for the French club in August but had failed to find the back of the net in the matches he played.
Finally, Messi found the back of the net in a 2-0 win over the English champions, ending a move he started with Kylian Mbappe.
Although, despite the top three Messi, Neymar and Mbappe now showing signs of rapprochement, questions arise as to the strength of the Parisian defense with Lionel Messi.
Can Lionel Messi play in defense for PSG?
Lionel Messi is arguably the best player to ever play football and he has tons of goals and assists to show for it. However, a constant downside to his performance is his inability or unwillingness to help his team in defense.
The 6-time Ballon d’Or winner has been notoriously exempted from defensive and defensive duties as he pierces under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.
It was the first sign that either Messi is considered too important in the attacking phase to be forced to help in defense, or Messi is in fact not good defensively.
At PSG now, the same comments and complaints have resurfaced about Messi’s defensive abilities in the squad. While he should mainly play in attacking positions and score goals / assists, Messi’s inability / reluctance in the defensive stages could be seen as a weakness.
Especially for a team that likes to play fast attacking football, therefore forced to defend forward whenever they are dispossessed. In a team that also contains Neymar and Mbappe, neither of whom are known for their defensive skills, there could be a big problem.
Will Messi, Neymar and Mbappe defend for PSG?
Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe’s formidable attacking trio are showing signs of synchronization. However, there have been concerns about Neymar’s defensive duties as well as Mbappe, with teammates having to sacrifice themselves to keep their backs in balance.
With Lionel Messi added to the fray, defense duties are not expected to be at the top of the former Barcelona captain’s roster.
Thus, this leaves PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino with the dilemma of finding the right balance between attack and defense. Pochettino set out to do so by strengthening the team’s defense with the addition of new players like Sergio Ramos, Danilo Pereira, Gini Wijnaldum.
Gigi Donnarumma and Achraf Hakimi. These players should improve PSG’s defensive statistics while allowing their famous first three to score as many goals as possible.
–
