PSG 1-0 Girona: Rating the Parisians' Performance
Paris Saint-Germain secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Girona in a pre-season friendly, with Lionel Messi providing the only goal. While the result was positive, PSG's overall performance was far from convincing, leaving room for improvement as they prepare for the upcoming Ligue 1 season.
A Look at the Individual Performances
Lionel Messi (8/10): The Argentine maestro was the standout performer, showcasing his class with a well-taken goal and some intricate passing. He dictated the tempo of the game and posed a constant threat to the Girona defense.
Kylian Mbappé (7/10): Despite not finding the back of the net, Mbappé was a constant menace down the right flank. His pace and dribbling skills caused problems for the Girona defenders, and he was unlucky not to score a couple of goals.
Neymar (6/10): The Brazilian star had a quiet game by his standards. While he showed flashes of brilliance, he was somewhat wasteful in possession and struggled to create clear-cut chances.
Marco Verratti (6/10): The Italian midfielder was his usual tenacious self, winning the ball back with ease. However, his passing was often inaccurate, and he struggled to control the tempo of the game.
Sergio Ramos (6/10): The veteran defender looked solid at the back, providing a calming presence. His experience was crucial in organizing the defense and keeping Girona at bay.
Achraf Hakimi (5/10): The Moroccan right-back struggled to make an impact going forward. He lacked the dynamism and precision in his crosses that usually characterizes his game.
Danilo Pereira (5/10): The Portuguese midfielder was a bit shaky in the first half, giving away possession too easily. However, he improved as the game went on and offered some much-needed physicality in midfield.
Vitinha (5/10): The young midfielder struggled to impose himself on the game. He was over-eager in possession and often lost the ball in dangerous areas.
Gianluigi Donnarumma (6/10): The Italian goalkeeper had a relatively quiet game, with few real saves to make. He was confident and composed in the box, showing his quality between the sticks.
Overall, PSG looked unconvincing in their victory over Girona. While Messi's brilliance provided a much-needed spark, the team as a whole lacked fluidity and precision in their passing and decision-making. The Parisians will need to improve their performance significantly if they want to challenge for the Champions League title this season.
Key Takeaways
- PSG needs to find a better balance between attack and defense. While they created a number of chances, they also looked vulnerable at times at the back.
- The new players need time to gel with the rest of the team. Vitinha and Ruiz in particular struggled to adapt to their new surroundings.
- The team lacks a real focal point in attack. The absence of a traditional striker makes it difficult for PSG to play a direct style of football.
Looking Ahead
This pre-season friendly served as a good test for PSG, highlighting areas where they need to improve. With the start of the Ligue 1 season just around the corner, the Parisians will need to step up their game if they want to achieve their goals.
