Messi & Neymar Struggle As PSG Suffer Surprise Loss
06 March, 2022
Lionel Messi and Neymar endured a frustrating night without Kylian Mbappe as Paris Saint-Germain suffered a 1-0 loss to OGC Nice on Saturday night.
Ligue 1
Result: Nice 1-0 Paris Saint-Germain
Date: 05 March 2022
Venue: Allianz Riviera
Angel di Maria joined Messi and Neymar in the attack as Kylian Mbappe missed out through suspension ahead of this week's UEFA Champions League tie against Real Madrid.
The hosts managed to carve out the first opening inside 10 minutes when Kasper Dolberg teed up Gouri, who sent a curling strike inches wide of the upright.
Read More : Mbappe Sends Message To Messi Amid PSG Form
Messi has been criticised for his time in the French capital so far, but Mauricio Pochettino's men struggled as whole in the first half against an inconsistent Nice outfit. Di Maria had PSG's only real opening in the first half but other than that, Nice goalkeeper Walter Benitez barely had any work to do in the opening 45 minutes.The second half proved to be no different, although this time Nice were also let down by their decision-making in the final third after a lively first half.
The home side responded by introducing Morgan Schneiderlin and Algeria international Andy Derlot for the final 20 minutes of the half.
Pochettino, meanwhile, wait until the 79th minute to make his first substitution as Di Maria made way for his countryman Mauro Icardi as they pushed for a winning goal.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Delort popped up with the winning the goal in the 88th minute after volleying home Calvin Stengs' cross at the far post.
The hosts thought they were awarded a penalty in second-half stoppage time following a poor challenge by Icardi, but VAR confirmed the challenge took place outside the box as the solitary goal was all it took to sink PSG.
Source: www.soccerladuma.co.za