Paris Saint-Germain secured a 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund, in their inaugural UEFA Champions League fixture after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr. Although the team didn’t score in the initial 45 minutes, they netted two goals in the second half. Speculation was rife about how the French powerhouse would fare without these two football icons, but they impressively passed their first test.
Messi since Xavi, Iniesta & Neymar left him:
— Troll Football (parody) (@Troll_Fotballl) September 4, 2023
🥇2x Ballon d'Or
🥇European Golden Boot
🏆World Cup
⚽️World Cup Golden Ball
⚽️UCL Top Scorer
🥇UEFA Best Forward
Ronaldo since he left Kroos, Modric, Benzema:
🥇Dubai d'Or
🥇Serie A Best Player
Now we know who was "carried" 💀 pic.twitter.com/2J8s6DIhe1
Additionally, Jonathan Johnson of CBS Sports has proposed that PSG might actually be thriving without Messi and Neymar. During a recent episode of PSG Talking, Johnson highlighted a notable transformation he perceives in the team now that Messi and Neymar are no longer in the lineup.
He underscored an increased work-rate, emphasizing that the presence of Neymar and Messi on the field didn’t generate the same defensive intensity from the forwards.
The current squad, according to Johnson, exhibits a heightened desire to press opponents and exert more pressure.
Johnson’s viewpoint isn’t isolated, as Liam Tharme from The Athletic has also scrutinized PSG’s tactical improvement under the guidance of Luis Enrique, suggesting that the team has grown stronger.
The lingering question is whether this positive trend will endure as the group stage progresses. Should PSG perform well and advance deep into the tournament, their decision to move on from these two superstars could be seen as astute. However, should they encounter challenges, there may be second-guessing of their choice. The upcoming matches will provide further insights into PSG’s era post-Messi and Neymar.
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