Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Football Reporting
Football Reporting

Arsenal

Nicolas Anelka blasts Mauricio Pochettino over PSG tactics and Lionel Messi role


The former France international has questioned the tactical approach of the Paris Saint-Germain boss after his former side delivered another disappointing Champions League display

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Manchester City v PSG Match Pics

Nicolas Anelka has claimed Lionel Messi ‘s presence in the Paris Saint-Germain starting XI hinders how they naturally want to set-up under boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

The Frenchman’s comments came after the Ligue 1 titans were beaten 2-1 away at Manchester City, despite Kylian Mbappe putting the Parisians in front early on in the second-half.

Though there were a number of poor performers on the night for PSG, it was Messi in Anelka’s line of fire after the game as the Argentine failed to stamp his authority on the contest at the Etihad.

Pochettino opted to deploy the famous front three of Neymar, Mbappe and Messi for just the seventh time since the latter made the switch after 21 years in Barcelona.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Messi be dropped from the PSG starting eleven? Comment below

Lionel Messi was anonymous for much of PSG’s defeat by Man City
(

Image:

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Peter Powell/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

The trio did link up for PSG’s goal, Messi starting the move from deep before a brief interchange with Neymar saw the ball back at Messi’s feet, his deflected cross falling into the path of Mbappe who made no mistake.

However, it failed to reach the heights many had expected as Pep Guardiola’s side played the majority of the front foot and in PSG’s half.

Pochettino has tried to mould his side into a lethal counter-attacking outfit, but the front three became disconnected from the rest of their teammates early on.

Analysing the tie with French outfit RMC at full-time, Anelka was scathing his assessment of his former side’s performance.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“With Messi, PSG cannot be a counter team,” the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea striker explained.

“You cannot base the whole team on Kylian Mbappe. Today we demand from Neymar, but we can do the same with Messi.

“Since the beginning of the season it is not extraordinary either. There is a player who has six Ballons d’Or and finally is not so extraordinary.”

His sentiments were his fellow countryman and another ex-Arsenal striker in Thierry Henry, who told CBS Sports that talent alone is not enough if PSG wish to secure their first Champions League title.

Nicolas Anelka has suggest Lionel Messi’s presence hinders PSG

“If you want to win the Champions League, you cannot defend with seven players,” Henry claimed.

“It is impossible, I don’t care who you are. The full backs are exposed, so it’s virtually a three vs one, three vs two on the pitch.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“Team that win titles – and the Champions League even more so – have their front-three facing the ball.

“That way the full backs will feel more comfortable with what’s going on behind them. But right now they’re too exposed. Teams in France cannot expose them, but Man City can.”

Read More

Read More





Source link

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Arsenal

Manchester City face Arsenal in the Premier League’s biggest clash of the weekend that may well ultimately define the title race – WhoScored takes...

Arsenal

Mikel Arteta will largely be breathing a sigh of relief after the majority of his Arsenal players returned in tact – while Aaron Ramsdale...

Arsenal

Arsenal are looking to retain top spot in the Premier League this weekend and Gary Neville believes they have to beat Manchester City if...

Arsenal

Ben White chose not to be included in the latest England squad but Jamie Carragher doesn’t see his as a starter regardless – which...