Ligue 1: Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG?


Ligue 1: Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG?

Lionel Messi has remained off colour ever since his move to Paris St Germain. Lionel Messi moved to the French capital on a free transfer after Barcelona failed to register the player owing to the financial issues. However, the player has failed to be at his best in the ongoing campaign. So, what has happened? Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG?

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Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG: The numbers in the French capital

Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG?
The unveiling of Messi

Since his move to Paris, Lionel Messi has found the back of the net only once. And the goal has come in the Champions League and not in the French top-flight. He has played three Ligue 1 games and have two starts to their name. Over 190 minutes in Ligue 1, Messi has neither scored nor found the back of the net for his side.

The solitary goal came when he donned the role of right-winger against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. It was one of the best games of Lionel Messi in PSG colours. He kept Manchester City defenders guessing with his dribbling skills and playmaking ability.

Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG: What he needs to do?

Where has Lionel Messi gone wrong at PSG?
Lionel Messi scored against Man City

It is not that Lionel Messi has failed to recreate what he had done at Camp Nou. His dribble success rate has increased drastically compared to previous season. At Camp Nou, in the 2020/21 season, he had 65.1% success over 35 games. On the other hand, at Paris St Germain, he has a success rate of 77.8. The same can be said to his passing percentage. It has rose from 82.3 to 82.6.

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However, it his position in the attack that has changed the scoring rate. At Barcelona, he used to play along the front three i.e as a striker or a right-winger and occasionally he used to drop back to play as an attacking midfielder. At Paris St Germain, Mauricio Pochettino has played him as an attacking midfielder. He has played on the right-flank for few moments in the game, but he has remained predominantly as an attacking midfielder. If he wants to raise his numbers, Lionel Messi has to play as a “False 9” or in the middle of the front three consisting of Neymar and Mbappe on the flanks.

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