Kingsley Coman’s goal secured a 1-0 win for Bayern in Paris
Lionel Messi was nowhere close to his mesmerising best in Paris Saint-Germain‘s home match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday evening.
The Argentine superstar was an injury doubt going into the Champions League last-16 first leg and that’s perhaps why his performance was lacklustre for the most part.
Aside from a few brief moments of magic, Messi was fairly anonymous as Bayern recorded a 1-0 victory thanks to Kingsley Coman’s second half goal.
Coman’s strike – which Gianluigi Donnarumma should have saved – makes the German champions the firm favourite to reach the quarter-final stage of the Champions League.
One of the only silver linings for PSG and their fans will be the undeniable impact a half-fit Kylian Mbappe had off the bench.
His introduction sparked Christophe Galtier’s side into life, Messi also playing far better with Mbappe as the team’s focal point.
The former Barcelona man even had a late golden chance to score, only to see his goal bound shot miraculously blocked by Benjamin Pavad – who the got himself sent off in stoppage-time.
Another source of solace for PSG supporters will be the fact Messi seemed to demonstrate some level of affection for the club after the game.
Last season, the World Cup winner and teammate Neymar were infamously booed by fans after the team’s Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.
It’s a situation that’s clearly had an impact on Messi, because he went over to the PSG Ultras for the very first time following the defeat to Bayern.
His footballing partner-in-crime Neymar also joined him, as you can see in the various videos below…
Video: Messi went over to PSG Ultras for the first time after 1-0 Bayern loss
Both Neymar and Leo Messi went to greet the PSG Ultras after the game! 🇧🇷🇦🇷https://t.co/8rl2A6ZUCn
— PSG Report (@PSG_Report) February 14, 2023
LÉO MESSI ET NEYMAR SONT ALLÉS SALUER LES ULTRAS APRÈS UN PAUSE D’UN AN !
MAGNIFIQUE 💙❤️https://t.co/KLYCJjNFs7
— FOOTBALL-TIME 🌟 (@__Footballtime) February 14, 2023
Well, at least there are some whiffs of solidarity at PSG, which could serve them well in the return leg on March 8th.
If Messi and Mbappe are both fully fit for the match against Bayern at the Allianz Arena, we could be in for quite the ride.
Oh Champions League, how we’ve missed you!
