Deprived of several key players, including Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, PSG saved the win against Toulouse (2-1) thanks to Lionel Messi, this Saturday at the Parc des Princes on matchday 22, ten days after playing with Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16.
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PSG coach Christophe Galtier had warned on Friday that in the absence of Mbappé, three weeks out after being injured on Wednesday against Montpellier (3-1), Messi had to take a step forward.
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And the great legend did not fail, with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area (57).
“It was not an easy victory, in football there are different ways to win and today we did it with the mentality. We have seen a real group, we have a great collective strength”, said PSG defender Chadaille Bitshiabu.
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A direct free kick from Branco Van den Boomen (20) had put Toulouse ahead and Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi had equalized with another splendid shot (38).
“We felt frustrated, we came with intentions, we are in good shape at the moment and we opened the scoring, but unfortunately we conceded two goals. And we had a chance at the end, but the goalkeeper saved it,” said Toulouse defender Anthony Rouault.
PSG, upset by some defeats on the January slope, is trying to find its cruising rhythm before hosting Bayern Munich on February 14 at the Parc des Princes, in a round of 16 tie that can be considered an early final.
Ten goals and two clear chances
Messi’s tenth goal in this Ligue 1 allows the leader to have an eight point provisional lead over Marseille (2nd), who host the reborn Nice (8th) on Sunday.
The ‘Flea’ could complete his remarkable afternoon with more goals if he had hit a shot with a thread (75) or in a slalom that ended with a shot at the post (90+4).
Galtier breathed after overcoming a tough test without Marco Verratti, suspended, and the injured Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe and Sergio Ramos, who will return quickly. However, he lost to the Portuguese Renato Sanches, who had to leave shortly after starting (13).
“After the World Cup, we began to recover the automatisms, it took us a little time. It’s a shame that we have injured players, it means that we have to change the scheme, but when it’s difficult, it’s when we have to move forward”, summed up the Parisian captain, the Brazilian Marquinhos.
This Saturday two other Ligue 1 games will be played, Troyes-Lyon and Rennes-Lille. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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