PARIS, 18 Feb. (STATS Perform / dpa / EP) –
The coach of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Mauricio Pochettino, did not hesitate to defend Argentine striker Lionel Messi on Friday after missing a penalty in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid, assuring that “it will not affect his confidence”, because the ’30’ of the Parisians “is the essence of football”.
“Messi is the best in the world. A player like him, with his experience and what it means, is the essence of football. In no way will missing a penalty affect his confidence, that’s impossible. If anyone thinks that, they don’t understand this sport”, insisted Pochettino in the preview of the match against Nantes in Ligue 1.
The coach was “satisfied” with the Argentine’s performance against the Whites. “He played well, with the ability to connect the pieces that differentiate us on the field,” Messi said.
On the other hand, the Argentine coach confirmed that, after his return against Ancelotti’s men, Neymar could start in the league. “We hope that he has overcome these problems and that, through competitive matches, he can reach his best level,” he added of the Brazilian.
Neymar was injured on November 28, physical problems that add to a long list since his arrival in Paris in 2017. Since then, he has scored 59 goals and provided 34 assists in his 80 league games with the Parisian club.