Mueez Ajao
– Lionel Messi struggles on PSG full debut as Club Brugge teach Champions league lesson.
– Lionel Messi made his full debut appearance for PSG against Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday night. However, the Argentina international couldn’t inspire his side to victory in Belgium, with the game ending 1-1.
– Having only appeared for PSG off the bench since joining from Barcelona, Mauricio Pochettino opted to give the 34-year-old a first start.
– However, while Messi displayed some classy touches, it was a disappointingly goaless showing for the veteran.
– His cause wasn’t helped by the withdrawal of Kylian Mbappe, who was forced off by injury.
– Despite a long list of high-profile arrivals in Paris, it was Ander Herrera that opened the scoring in the 15th minute for the visiting side, reaching behind him to lash home a left-footed shot after Mbappe picked him out in the middle of the penalty area.
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– Brugge hit back before the half-hour when Hans Vanaken powered a first time shot past Keylor Navas from Eduard Sobol’s inch-perfect cross into the centre of the box to put the match back on level terms.
– Mauricio Pochettino’s side found themselves under pressure from the Belgian champions after the leveller, but they managed to get into the dressing room for half-time in a 1-1 draw.
– Mbappe, who went down in the first half and came off briefly, then limped off the pitch early in the second after an awkward tangle with a pair of Brugge defenders. He was eventually replaced by Mauro Icardi.
– Both sides pushed for a go-ahead goal as the second half wore on, and Messi had a great chance saved by Simon Mignolet around the 70th minute before the Argentine was shown yellow for a challenge on Brugge’s Mats Rits.
– No winner came for either club and the teams settled for a point.
