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PSG's Season Hits Rock Bottom as Messi's Star Power Fails to Lift the Team
Paris Saint-Germain's dismal season took another hit on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to Lyon, their second straight home defeat. The setback was exacerbated by a scathing reaction from some PSG fans, who whistled when Lionel Messi's name was announced as part of the starting lineup.
The disappointment was palpable at the Parc des Princes, where Lyonnais forward Bradley Barcola's goal 10 minutes into the second half proved enough to secure all three points. The loss marked a low point in what has been a woefully inconsistent season for PSG, who have struggled to find their footing without key players.
While Messi's arrival was touted as the missing piece that would finally propel PSG to Champions League success, his star power has thus far failed to lift the team out of the doldrums. The Argentine superstar has 34 goal contributions this season - a respectable tally, but not enough to stem the tide of despair in Paris.
Coach Christophe Galtier refused to blame Messi for the team's woes, instead placing the burden on his teammates to step up their performance around him. "I found it [the jeering] hard to listen to," Galtier said after the game. "There may be expectations for Messi and Mbappe to unlock difficult situations... but around him, the other players also need to do their jobs."
The team's struggles are now being felt across Ligue 1, with Lens' win over Rennes and Marseille's draw with Montpellier narrowing the gap at the top of the table. The domestic title may no longer be within PSG's grasp.
As PSG heads into a season-defining week against a Nice side that is unbeaten in 13 matches, the pressure is on Galtier to find a solution. With only two wins since being dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last month, the team must get back on track if they are to salvage any hope of salvaging their season.
The reaction from some fans has been particularly telling, with Messi's name being met with boos at his own home stadium. It's a stark reminder that even for one of the world's greatest players, there is no guarantee of adoration in Paris.
Paris Saint-Germain's dismal season took another hit on Sunday with a 1-0 loss to Lyon, their second straight home defeat. The setback was exacerbated by a scathing reaction from some PSG fans, who whistled when Lionel Messi's name was announced as part of the starting lineup.
The disappointment was palpable at the Parc des Princes, where Lyonnais forward Bradley Barcola's goal 10 minutes into the second half proved enough to secure all three points. The loss marked a low point in what has been a woefully inconsistent season for PSG, who have struggled to find their footing without key players.
While Messi's arrival was touted as the missing piece that would finally propel PSG to Champions League success, his star power has thus far failed to lift the team out of the doldrums. The Argentine superstar has 34 goal contributions this season - a respectable tally, but not enough to stem the tide of despair in Paris.
Coach Christophe Galtier refused to blame Messi for the team's woes, instead placing the burden on his teammates to step up their performance around him. "I found it [the jeering] hard to listen to," Galtier said after the game. "There may be expectations for Messi and Mbappe to unlock difficult situations... but around him, the other players also need to do their jobs."
The team's struggles are now being felt across Ligue 1, with Lens' win over Rennes and Marseille's draw with Montpellier narrowing the gap at the top of the table. The domestic title may no longer be within PSG's grasp.
As PSG heads into a season-defining week against a Nice side that is unbeaten in 13 matches, the pressure is on Galtier to find a solution. With only two wins since being dumped out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last month, the team must get back on track if they are to salvage any hope of salvaging their season.
The reaction from some fans has been particularly telling, with Messi's name being met with boos at his own home stadium. It's a stark reminder that even for one of the world's greatest players, there is no guarantee of adoration in Paris.