PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino was satisfied with Lionel Messi’s performance and pleased to see the support that Reims supporters gave to La Pulga during the French League match at the Auguste Delaune Stadium, Monday (30/8).
Messi made the debut that PSG fans had been waiting for against Reims. Entering in the 66th minute as a substitute for Neymar, Messi received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Auguste Delaune Stadium.
However, it is not only PSG fans who support Messi. The Reims fans also gave their support. They cheered from the moment Messi came on and when he had the ball.
Pochettino said he was satisfied with Messi’s performance even though he did not score or assist in his debut match. Pochettino is also pleased with the support given by the Reims fans.
“Leo Messi, he played well, from the first touch he gave the team calm. Even though he is Messi, it’s good for him to start with a win,” Pochettino was quoted as saying by Le Figaro.
“It’s good to hear the crowd cheering for him, not just our fans, but it’s something Messi has won before. Messi gives this group a burst of energy, personality,” said Pochettino.
2-0 win over Reims does not describe the true strength of PSG. With the quality of the team owned by Les Parisiens, PSG was originally predicted to win a big victory over Reims. However, Pochettino remains satisfied with his team’s performance.
“It’s an important win for us. We didn’t play well at all, it’s a difficult situation, because a lot of players joined late, and they don’t have the same physical condition,” said Pochettino.
“But getting the three points puts us in a good position in the table, it’s important for us to keep winning,” said the Argentine coach.
PSG topped the French League standings with a score of 12 points from four matches. PSG are the only club that has always won since the start of the season and are two points ahead of Angers.
During nearly 30 minutes on the pitch, Messi neither scored nor provided an assist. The two PSG winning goals which were bought by Kylian Mbappe were also created before La Pulga entered the field.
Mbappe scored the opener in the 16th minute. The French forward then scored a second just three minutes before Messi came on to the pitch.
Even though he didn’t score, Messi showed pretty good stats. The former Barcelona captain recorded a successful pass percentage of 95 percent.
Total Messi made 21 passes in the match. Of that number, only one time Messi failed to make a pass to a teammate.
Statistics from Whoscored also show Messi touched the ball 26 times. Messi also made two tackles with one of them successful.
