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The top two teams in Ligue 1 locked horns as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) hosted OGC Nice in a Coupe de France Round of 16 clash on Monday night. Having won their last 14 French Cup matches in a row, the Parisians started the fixture as overwhelming favorites.
Mauricio Pochettino fielded a strong XI, which included Lionel Messi for the first time this year. Unfortunately for PSG, Nice paid no heed to their star power and ended up beating the reigning champions, 6-5, on penalties after a goalless 90 minutes.
As expected, the hosts were eager to get on the ball in the early stages, hoping to put pressure on the opposition. PSG managed to retain possession quite easily but could not occupy dangerous positions in the final third of the pitch. In the seventh minute, Marco Verratti tried a through ball into the final third for Julian Draxler, but Nice keeper Marcin Bulka read the situation effortlessly.
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15 minutes later, Verratti had an opportunity to put PSG ahead, but his effort whiskered wide off the post. After a drab first half, Pochettino made a couple of changes, including bringing on Kylian Mbappe for the struggling Mauro Icardi. The Frenchman introduced pace to the hosts’ play but could not bring penetration.
The home side came closest to opening the scoring in the 71st minute when Nice were forced to clear Presnel Kimpembe’s effort off the line. After the end of regulation time, the match went into penalties, allowing PSG loanee Bulka to prove his mettle.
He stopped spot-kicks from midfielder Leandro Paredes and teenager Xavi Simons, ending the Parisians’ dream of winning the French Cup for the third consecutive season.
Here are five Paris Saint-Germain players who underperformed in their disappointing defeat to OGC Nice on Monday night:
#5 Colin Dagba
With Achraf Hakimi unavailable due to AFCON, Colin Dagba operated as a right-back against Nice on Monday night. Unfortunately, his performance was below par, both defensively and offensively.
Nice exploited the space he left behind time and again to put pressure on PSG's backline. He only won one of his seven duels, which is disappointing, to say the least.
Dagba also could not provide support in attack, failing to provide even a single key pass, long ball, or cross into the area.
#4 Marco Verratti
In all honesty, Verratti was the one that kept PSG ticking in the middle of the park on Monday night. However, considering his quality, we cannot overlook the golden opportunity to put his team ahead in the first half.
The Italy international was neatly set up by Ander Herrera for a strike at goal in the 22nd minute. He uncharacteristically scuffed his opportunity and missed to keep his effort on target.
Had the midfield maestro found the back of the net, Paris Saint-Germain could have been in complete control of the game at the Parc des Princes.
#3 Lionel Messi
Having missed three of PSG’s matches in January due to COVID-19, Lionel Messi was thrust into the starting XI in the French Cup clash against Nice.
Operating on the right-wing, the Argentine was meant to be his team’s primary creative outlet. Unfortunately, the 34-year-old looked well below his best on the night and often cut a frustrating figure in the final third.
As always, Messi’s little dinking passes and clever movement caught everyone’s eye. It was the end product that was uncharacteristically missing. His crosses often failed to clear the first man, his only effort on target was straight at the keeper, and even his dribbles were ineffective.
Known for his immaculate ball control, Messi lost possession a whopping 29 times against Nice, which pretty much sums up the night he had.
#2 Ander Herrera
Thanks to PSG’s knack for chasing the biggest names in football, it is not easy to break into their playing XI. Ander Herrera, who has only started 11 of Paris Saint-Germain’s 22 Ligue 1 games this season, is all too familiar with the competition for places.
Last night, the former Manchester United midfielder got a rare chance to impress, but his performance came nowhere close to being satisfactory.
The Spaniard operated down the left channel of PSG’s three-man midfield and was responsible for linking up with Julian Draxler. His link-up play with the German was good enough, but the lack of engagement from his end was unacceptable.
Herrera did not do anything of note except for setting up Verratti’s shot in the 22nd minute. He lost four duels, gave the ball away thrice, and was easily dribbled past by the opposing players three times.
A disappointing performance by an out-of-favor central midfielder.
#1 Mauro Icardi
Mauro Icardi once again produced an embarrassing performance in PSG’s colors, proving why the Parisians are so desperate to offload him. The striker, who used to score goals for fun at Inter Milan, has become a shadow of his former self, incapable of producing anything significant.
Against Christophe Galtier’s side, his ineffectiveness was painstakingly evident, as he failed to register even a single shot, let alone work the keeper.
The 28-year-old, who has only scored 38 times in his PSG career, took only seven touches on Monday night and completed three passes.
He did not even attempt a single dribble, key pass, cross, or long ball, but lost possession thrice. Easily one of his worst performances in a PSG shirt for the Argentine.
