For the first time since 2014, PSG will not go to the final of the Coupe de France. The players of the capital missed the boat, Monday, January 31, in the round of 16, beaten on penalties against OGC Nice. This setback falls particularly badly, just two weeks before the reception of Real Madrid, in the round of 16 of the Champions League. The problems seem to be multiplying for the coach Mauricio Pochettino.
PSG had strengthened enormously during the summer transfer window of 2021. Six months later, it was difficult to perceive the invincible team that many expected. At the beginning of August, after seven titles in a row in the competition, the Parisians had suffered a first setback in the Champions Trophy, against Losc. Elimination in the Coupe de France against Nice is another unusual hitch, but this time in the middle of the season, when the team should show its power.
First with 11 points ahead of OGC Nice in Ligue 1, Paris seems to be weakening at the worst time. If its only defeat, in Rennes, dates back to the beginning of October, the team has conceded four draws in their last seven Ligue 1 meetings (Nice, Lens, Lorient and Lyon).
“Today, PSG must be aware that it must do more in terms of intentions, in what it offers in a match.“says Eric Roy, consultant for France Télévisions. “On can wonder if it is a certain sufficiency or if the team shows its limits.“
Against Nice, “even if PSG dominated in possession, it was totally sterile”, notes Eric Roy. Mauricio Pochettino’s players only made two shots on target, out of a total of ten attempts, including nine in the penalty area.
Domination without realism or creativity: the problem has already arisen in the league. In Lorient (1-1), on December 22, the Parisians only equalized in the 91st minute despite 78% possession of the ball.
“How do you find speed in front of such a close-knit team? We didn’t succeed.”
Mauricio Pochettino, PSG coachat a press conference, after the PSG-Nice match
For Eric Roy, “at PSG, we do not feel this collective power which, when the individualities are not there, is capable of sublimating the team. If they can’t find it, it won’t be enough to get the Champions League.” the big goal of PSG this season.
For the Parisian coach, “vs’is a question of balance”. “It’s what you do with and without the ball. There was no possibility of countering Nice’s 4-4-2.“
After his double against Reims, Marco Verratti was still one of the few dangerous Parisian players on the offensive level. Despite his team’s struggles in the final 30 yards, the Italian managed to crash through and find spaces in the opposing defence.
Kyllian Mbappé, meanwhile, has been the only effective attacking player since the start of the season. (19 goals in 29 games in all competitions). Spared against Nice for “physical discomfort during training”, he only returned in the 65th minute, showing how much the PSG attack is dependent on the native of Bondy.
Symbol of this offensive suffering: Mauro Icardi. Against Nice, the Argentinian only touched six balls in the meeting, before being replaced by Mbappé. He has only scored five goals in 23 games since the start of the season.
6 – Mauro Icardi only touched 6 balls against Nice, the worst total for a player who played more than 45 minutes of a meeting with Paris since Opta had this data in all competitions (2014/15). Phantom. #PSGOGCN pic.twitter.com/88UO5UqUmG
— OptaJean (@OptaJean) January 31, 2022
Since his arrival at PSG, Lionel Messi has only shown his genius for a few flashes. Despite good performances in the Champions League (5 goals in 5 games), the native of Rosario does not shine in France. With only one goal in Ligue 1 since the start of the season, the record of the sevenfold Ballon d’Or does not live up to expectations.
For Eric Roy, the Argentinian is “for now a little shadow of what it was“. But it’s not all his fault.”Messi would have a much easier adaptation if PSG had a stronger collective power to rely on.” remarks the consultant.
“We give him the ball when we don’t know what to do with it and we tell him: manage it!”
Eric Roy, consultant for France TelevisionsAt franceinfo sport
“There is also the fact that the French championship is difficult physically and even tactically, much more than other championships like in Spain.”, adds Eric Roy.
With Sergio Ramos injured and Neymar recovering, the reception of Real Madrid on February 15 promises to be perilous. The next two games must prepare PSG: against Lille and Rennes, two teams still in the race in European competitions. First in La Liga and in its Champions League group, Real has much more certainty. “The justice of the peace is going to be Madrid, announces Eric Roy. If they are eliminated by Madrid, it could be the biggest flop in football history, compared to its summer transfer window.“Fifteen days to erase all doubts, such is the mission of the Parisians.