Friday, March 29News That Matters

Antonio Conte defends Pochettino after PSG & Messi struggle vs Club Brugge

Antonio Conte has leapt to the defence of Maurico Pochettino after PSG and Lionel Messi faced criticism for their display in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw against Club Brugge.

PSG took an early lead through Ander Herrera in their opening Champions League group match of the season but were pegged back by Hans Vanaken’s equaliser and were unable to find a winner.




Messi was making his first start for the French club since leaving Barcelona but was underwhelming, missing a great opportunity to put his team ahead late on, while the entire attack failed to click.

Former PSG player Nicolas Anelka was critical after the game, telling French TV: ‘Brugge were better in terms of intensity, the midfield battle, shots on target, in every area, so congratulations to them.




‘We expected PSG to play well, but it’s the PSG we don’t want to see. Nothing went well. There was no intensity, no tracking back, nothing going forward. If they play like that, it’s not going to be possible.’

There’s already huge criticism about Pochettino’s style – his pattern is seen as a bad fit for a collection of superstars who may not be inclined to press or track back, but Conte says any manager would struggle with the team.

Speaking to Sky Italia after PSG’s 1-1 draw, the former Inter Milan manager said: ‘To find the balance at PSG is not simple, but not only for Pochettino, it would be difficult for anyone.’

Pochettino himself conceded that his team’s display had been poor, but he stressed that it would take time for so many new players to all gel and urged supporters to be patient.




‘Nobody in the team can be happy with their performance and nobody can be happy with this result. We came here to take points. All the points,’ said the former Spurs boss.

‘Hats off to Club Brugge. They wanted it more than us tonight and they deserve the point. ‘We didn’t have a good evening. We have to stay calm, keep working and take the time we need. Things will get better.’

On the lack of understanding between the trio – Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe – Pochettino added: ‘We need time to work for them to build an understanding. That’s been clear and we’ve said that in recent days. We still have to create a team.’

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