Lionel Messi's arrival at Paris Saint-Germain was expected to be a turning point for the team, but the reality has been far from convincing. The Argentine superstar's side suffered its second straight home defeat, this time against Lyon, with a solitary goal from Bradley Barcola securing the three points.
The atmosphere in the Parc des Princes was tense, with some PSG fans whistling as Messi's name appeared on the big screen during the pre-game announcements. The booing of their star player suggests that the team has lost the support of its own fans, who are now questioning whether Messi is the missing piece to unlock the Champions League title.
PSG's struggles have raised concerns about the team's ability to win the domestic title, with Lens and Marseille now just six points behind them in Ligue 1. The pressure on the team has mounted, with coach Christophe Galtier refusing to lay the blame for their failures solely at Messi's feet.
While Messi has been impressive this season, scoring 18 goals and providing 17 assists, his performances have not been enough to compensate for the lack of cohesion in the team. Galtier acknowledged that there may be expectations for Messi and Kylian Mbappé to unlock difficult situations, but added that "around him, the other players also need to do their jobs."
PSG's next two matches will be crucial in determining the team's season trajectory. A victory over Nice, who are unbeaten in 13 matches, could provide a much-needed boost, while hosting Lens at home could be a make-or-break moment for the team.
Despite their struggles, PSG remains in contention for domestic titles, with Ligue 1 still within reach. However, the Champions League seems increasingly out of sight, and the team's obsession with winning the competition has taken its toll on performances on the domestic stage.
The recent criticism from former Lyon coach Laurent Blanc, who believes that the team's focus on winning the Champions League has led to a lack of motivation in Ligue 1, adds to the sense that something needs to change at PSG. The team's players and coaches must come together if they are to turn their season around and achieve their goals.
The atmosphere in the Parc des Princes was tense, with some PSG fans whistling as Messi's name appeared on the big screen during the pre-game announcements. The booing of their star player suggests that the team has lost the support of its own fans, who are now questioning whether Messi is the missing piece to unlock the Champions League title.
PSG's struggles have raised concerns about the team's ability to win the domestic title, with Lens and Marseille now just six points behind them in Ligue 1. The pressure on the team has mounted, with coach Christophe Galtier refusing to lay the blame for their failures solely at Messi's feet.
While Messi has been impressive this season, scoring 18 goals and providing 17 assists, his performances have not been enough to compensate for the lack of cohesion in the team. Galtier acknowledged that there may be expectations for Messi and Kylian Mbappé to unlock difficult situations, but added that "around him, the other players also need to do their jobs."
PSG's next two matches will be crucial in determining the team's season trajectory. A victory over Nice, who are unbeaten in 13 matches, could provide a much-needed boost, while hosting Lens at home could be a make-or-break moment for the team.
Despite their struggles, PSG remains in contention for domestic titles, with Ligue 1 still within reach. However, the Champions League seems increasingly out of sight, and the team's obsession with winning the competition has taken its toll on performances on the domestic stage.
The recent criticism from former Lyon coach Laurent Blanc, who believes that the team's focus on winning the Champions League has led to a lack of motivation in Ligue 1, adds to the sense that something needs to change at PSG. The team's players and coaches must come together if they are to turn their season around and achieve their goals.