As the fallout from Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League exit continues, new reports paint a picture of a dressing room divided.
PSG had been in pole position to reach the last eight in Europe, with Kylian Mbappe handing Mauricio Pochettino's side a first leg advantage and doubling the aggregate lead at Real Madrid's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. However, a "magic" hat-trick from Karim Benzema swung the tie iin the Spanish side's favour and sent the Ligue 1 leaders packing.
In the aftermath of the game, there were reports of a confrontation between teammates Neymar and Gianluigi Donnarumma which was later played down by both players. However, after the elimination was followed by a meek league defeat at Monaco, more reports have begun to emerge from the European media.
According to RMC Sport (via Get French Football News ), the PSG dressing room is now divided into two "clans". These feature Spanish speakers on one side, and "certain Francophones" on the other.
The report claims none of the players spoke on the way back from Monaco, while one side of the divide is said to be frustrated by supposed leniency towards the other. The 3-0 loss, brought about by a Wissam Ben Yedder double and a goal from Kevin Volland, was the third in five league games for Pochettino's men.
“The international break should allow for a change in mentality and put us back to where we should be," the former Tottenham manager said. "We have to come back with the responsibility that goes along with putting on this shirt.”
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The recent results have dialed up the pressure on manager Pochettino, whose future was the subject of speculation even before reports of bad blood within the squad. The 50-year-old is under contract in Paris until 2023, but continues to be linked with Manchester United and has admitted to uncertainty regarding his fate beyond the current season.
PSG are still heavy favourites to win Ligue 1 after missing out on the title last season. They sit 12 points clear of second-place Marseille, with just nine games of the season remaining.
"We will have to sit down with the club to exchange," Pochettino said after the defeat in Madrid.. To find the best formula. To see the vision, the future, the ideas, the project.
"We will analyse everything at the end of the season. We will see at the end of the season [if I stay]. It will be the club’s decision.
"We have to find the best way to work together. That means understanding we need to align our ideas, our project, our methods. There are lots of questions which need to be looked at so that staff like us and a club like PSG have similar ideas and visions."
