Lionel Messi failed to provide Paris St Germain with any sparkle as the Ligue 1 team’s potent attacking trio lacked inspiration in a disappointing 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.
Making his first start for the French team, the Argentine forward hit the woodwork but was otherwise far from his brilliant best alongside the hugely disappointing Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, who set up Ander Herrera for PSG’s first-half opener before being replaced injured after the break.
Brugge, who levelled before halftime through Hans Vanaken, were more aggressive and had the best chances against a PSG side lacking quality and defensive focus.
The result left PSG and Brugge trailing Group A leaders Manchester City by two points after the Premier League champions crushed RB Leipzig 6-3.
“We didn’t play a fantastic game but to be fair we did enough to win, we deserved to win,” said Herrera.
“Maybe they had opportunities at the beginning of the second half but I think we controlled the match, we had a lot of chances.”
Brugge keeper Simon Mignolet disagreed.
“I didn’t have a lot of work, I just pulled a couple of saves. We played as a compact side, it was the right approach,” the Belgian said.
With Messi, Neymar and Mbappe together on the pitch for the first time, PSG made a confident start but Brugge responded well.
Au terme d’un match intense, le Paris Saint-Germain partage les points avec Bruges.
#UCL | #CLUPSG
Retour sur la rencontre
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) September 15, 2021
Mbappe broke down the left flank and his low cross was met by Herrera, who opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a low finish for his fourth goal of the season – his third in his last two games.
Messi set up Mbappe, who went close in the 23rd minute with an angled shot that was deflected by Mignolet but PSG were lulled into a false sense of security.
On a sharp attack, the visitors’ defence was overwhelmed on the right side and after a late run into the box, Vanaken connected with Eduard Sobol’s cutback to beat Keylor Navas after 27 minutes.
Messi hit the woodwork with a fine curling shot from the edge of the box before Brugge threatened again as Vanaken forced Navas into a diving save with a low free kick.
The keeper was made to work again to tip Charles De Ketelaere’s rising shot over the bar before halftime.
Danilo replaced Leandro Paredes as PSG’s holding midfielder while Julian Draxler took over from Georginio Wijnaldum as a roving midfielder after the break.
PSG suffered a blow six minutes into the second half when Mbappe limped off the pitch after taking a knock on his ankle and was substituted by Mauro Icardi.
Messi had PSG’s first chance of the second half 20 minutes from time with an angled shot before picking up a yellow card, but Brugge did more than enough to claim a well-deserved point.
Fin du match à Bruges.
Le partage des points après cette 1⃣re journée de @ChampionsLeague
@ClubBrugge. (1-1)#UCL | #CLUPSG pic.twitter.com/lqhUKpzTeZ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) September 15, 2021
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Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) National Chairperson, Veronica Mente, has encouraged emerging farmers in Taung in the North West to change the way they previously voted. She was speaking during her party’s consultative meeting with farmers from across the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District.
This is part of the EFF’s election campaign for the upcoming Local Government Elections.
Mente says the African National Congress (ANC) must be removed from power so that people could get better services.
“Comrades let’s change the way we vote and let’s never be afraid to speak the truth to power. Whenever the ANC comes to your house, allow them to come in. If they bring food, take it it’s your food, it’s your money, it’s not a favour. But still tell them the honest truth, that you are actually bringing what has been long mine because what you have just brought today is going to come again in five years’ time,” says Mente.
LGE 2021 | EFF says given the chance it will transform the economy:
Earlier, EFF leader Julius Malema said it is practically impossible to hold political rallies as huge gatherings are not allowed.
Malema says his party will be targetting the big metros on November 1.
The EFF will launch its election manifesto on September 26.
EFF leader Julius Malema on voter mobilisation drive:
The post EFF encourages emerging farmers in North West to change way of voting appeared first on SABC News - Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader..
