Lionel Messi endured another frustrating evening for Paris Saint-Germain as he failed to wield any influence as his side crashed to a 1-0 loss at Nice.
It was Mauricio Pochettino’s side’s second successive away defeat in Ligue 1 and continued the Argentine’s frustrations since his high-profile summer transfer from Barcelona last summer.
The 34-year-old was part of a PSG attack who failed to click throughout the game in the absence of star striker and the side’s most important player: Kylian Mbappe.
The defeat at Nice comes just days ahead of the side’s season-defining second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash at Real Madrid.
Mbappe’s last gasp goal in the first leg was enough to clinch a narrow win in Paris last month but the tie remains firmly in the balance ahead of their trip to the Spanish capital.
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Messi has netted just twice in 18 domestic appearances for Les Parisiens and while he has fared better in European competition, his underwhelming performances in France continue to be a concern.
The Argentine was part of an attacking front three including Neymar and Angel di Maria, but the trio failed to get going throughout the encounter.
It was a game of few chances of which hosts Nice – who moved up to second with the victory – shaded and eventually won late on thanks to a superb finish from Andy Delort.
Yet PSG were extremely underwhelming with Di Maria eventually replaced by Mauro Icardi late on, but Pochettino’s side failed to create any meaningful chances throughout.
Messi was ranked at a meagre 4/10 by French daily newspaper L’Equipe – just one ahead of those ranked as the worst performers on the pitch.
Di Maria rated at just 3/10 alongside Georginio Wijnaldum – the former Liverpool midfielder who continues to struggle badly in Paris.
The Dutch international was said by L’Equipe to be enduring a ‘nightmareish’ run of form at the club as Foot Mercato noted how he touched the ball just 28 times during the match – an extraordinarily low amount for a central midfielder and the least of any player on the pitch.
Wijnaldum has scored three goals and provided two assists in 29 appearances for PSG since joining the club from Anfield last summer.
Despite their unconvincing domestic form and successive away defeats in Ligue 1, Pochettino’s side remain a whopping 13 points clear at the top of the standings.
They will romp their way to the title this campaign – having shockingly been pipped to the post by outsiders Lille last time out – but it will be in the Champions League where the success of their season will be measured.
PSG have also been eliminated from the Coupe de France –they were beaten on a penalty shootout by Nice earlier this year – with the pressure on boss Pochettino to deliver.
