Messi’s PSG, in crisis and destroyed by criticism after elimination in the French Cup: “A disorganized gang”

He Paris Saint-Germain can’t find the thread of victory in 2023 and Wednesday’s elimination in the round of 16 of the French Cup at the hands of eternal rivals, Olympique de Marseille, is a warning sign of a crisis to come at the worst momenton the eve of the return of Champions League.

The team from the capital will face Bayern Munich next Tuesday without its star kylian mbappewounded, and plunged into great confusion by the consequences of his retirement, which they laid bare other shortcomings of the team.

Scorer of 20 goals so far this season, seven of them in Europe, the 24-year-old striker had become the great stiletto of the team, which until the Qatar 2022 World Cup he was performing above his level of play.

Returning from the Middle East so far this year, the team, which up to that point had scored 41 points out of a possible 45, have suffered two defeats and a draw in the league, plus elimination from the cup.

PSG at the Velodrome stadium showed his worst side and left a marked feeling of helplessness against a well-armed rival, the best to be found at home, a bad omen to face the German champion in a few days.

The Bavarians, who They have not known defeat since SeptemberThey seem to have overcome a crisis in their game and identity, which has strengthened their leadership, even as Union Berlin is hot on their heels.

In Paris the waters descend more murky. Like every year as the Champions League approaches, the club’s structures begin to falter and the enormous expectations that the rain of millions of Qataris attracts on the French club generate tension at all levels.

The clear goal of the club is the Champions League and a stumbling block in that competition, one more would once again leave the team in a limbo that is difficult to accept.

“Paris in a disorganized gang”, headlined Le Parisien after their elimination in the Coupe de France. And, speaking of the defeat against his classic rival, he added: “Inevitably, it’s a stain.”

“Neymar was too lonely, since it was an evening in which his friend Messi had evidently decided to run even less than usual,” they commented, taking pity on Rosario’s performance, who actually seemed more active than the former Santos.

“Marseille beat amorphous PSG,” said Le Figaro, who also hit an “intermittent” Messi hard against the “intensity” of the winning side.

In the hands of Messi

Without Mbappé, all eyes are on Argentinian Lionel Messi, who has returned from the World Cup with full batteries, but whose brilliance has remained very isolated compared to the rest of the team.

The former Barcelonist charged PSG behind him in the penultimate match against Toulouse, but It wasn’t enough against a well-trained navy like Marseille’s.

The Brazilian Neymar, who returned after a period of absence due to problems with his parents anklehe has shown a weak level and his performance is starting to raise questions within the club, where they believe he has lost the decisive weight he had when he arrived in 2017.

The midfield is the least convincing line and all the experiments the coach has done on that line, Christopher Galtierthey failed to strengthen the blockade.

The coach has abandoned the 4-3-3 to give more weight to the midfield with a 4-4-2 which, despite changing it in recent games, he can’t find his way.

Neither defense has the expected brilliance. If the two sides Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes They show a good state of form, neither marquinhos neither Sergio Ramos They appear to be at their peak.

The Spaniard, on the way to his 37 years oldhe scored one goal and conceded a penalty, but mostly suffered from a lack of pace as Olympique found space.

PSG must win strongly next Saturday Monkwhich does not seem easy because even the Principality club has managed to straighten the course.

Otherwise it will be difficult for him to find the necessary serenity to face Bayern.