A Lionel Messi-less Mauricio Pochettino’s side came from a goal down to beat champions Lille 2-1 in Ligue 1. The Argentine attacker started the game but was taken off at half-time.
Post-match, the Argentine confirmed that he withdrew Messi due to precautionary reasons rather than tactical. However, the ex-Tottenham boss emphasized that Messi will be available for Paris’ midweek tie against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
“We have to wait. We spoke with the doctor. It’s a precaution. He couldn’t go on, but it’s not a big issue. He will be available for the next game,”
Poch told the media.
Alarmingly, however, Messi is yet to score in the League 1. The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has been peripheral at best during his first five league appearances, but he has contributed with three goals in three games in the Champions League. On Friday night, in the league encounter against Lille, it was his compatriot Angel Di Maria who stole the show with the late winner.
Struggling Lille took the lead in the 31st minute, courtesy of Jonathan David. The Canadian forward instinctively directed a Burak Yilmaz low cross into the net from close range, giving Les Dogues the advantage.
For Paris, it was Di Maria who looked the most likely to find the net – the Argentinian winger went close with shots on either side of the David goal.
The Parisians survived a Lille onslaught early in the second half; first, Gianluigi Donnarumma denied Yilmaz from doubling Les Dogues’ lead at full stretch before David fired his shot over the bar from close range. Lille were left to rue the misses as Marquinhos pulled the Parisiens level with a close-range volley from a Di Maria cross in the 74th minute.
Di Maria himself scored the winner in the 88th minute – calmly slotting the ball past Ivo Grbic from a Neymar lay-off. PSG held on to their slender advantage and increased their lead at the top of the table to ten points.
