PSG and Lionel Messi have been mocked by Simon Mignolet after their 1-1 Champions League draw on Wednesday. The Ligue 1 giants went into the match expected to take all three points. But that didn’t happen, with the hosts putting in a stubborn showing on the night.
Messi was deployed alongside Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in attack for PSG for the first time.
The Argentina international recently joined on a free transfer from Barcelona but, on his first start, couldn’t find the net.
PSG took the lead early on through Ander Herrera.
But Brugge netted a deserved equaliser through Hans Vanaken in the 27th minute and, as the match went on, pressed hardest for a winner.
And former Liverpool star Mignolet has now mocked PSG and Messi, insisting they barely troubled him throughout the game.
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However, the draw is still a setback nonetheless.
Having compiled one of the best squads in world football, PSG are under pressure to win the trophy they covet the most.
Mauricio Pochettino is already feeling the heat, too, after failing to guide his side to the Ligue 1 title last term.
And Pochettino, speaking before the game, opened up on the expectations he now had on his shoulders.
“We know that we will be judged on our results at the end of this season,” said the former Tottenham boss.
“Pressure exists at all clubs, and we know that the Champions League has been a major objective for PSG for years.
“Maybe we are one of the two teams to beat on paper with Chelsea given our summers and the fact that they are defending champions.
“They invested more than PSG, though, so they are the team to beat for me.
“We have recruited and now we need to lay the foundations to be a great team.”
PSG skipper Marquinhos, who also endured a troublesome evening in Belgium, said prior to the game that there was no additional pressure.
“We know pressure every year, especially at PSG – it comes with the territory,” he said.
“Soccer has been like that since I was young.
“True, with our squad, people talk about us even more and want to watch us. All the better for us, but there is no additional pressure — only positives.
“Nothing really changes. Like I said, it is important to have players like the ones which we have.
“They are all experienced and know how to handle it. Of course, we are one of the best teams in the world. I will let the journalists and fans debate that.
“In any case, once a match starts, there are no stars — it is all about sacrifice.”
