'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#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.
Trending
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.
