“Not Very Difficult” – Club Brugge Goalkeeper After Facing Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe in PSG UCL Opener

Paris Saint Germain shocked the footballing world when they signed ex-Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi, on a free transfer. The signing of Messi scared the rival fans as a front line of Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe could devastate any defense. Due to this, the expectations for PSG to win the Champions League has never been higher.

So when PSG were slated to lock horns with Belgian side Club Brugge, people around the world predicted a thrashing for the Belgian side. In fact, this match was the first instance of the trifecta of Messi, Neymar, and Mbappe [MNM] starting together. PSG began the scoring as expected, but Club Brugge later on controlled the match and salvaged a draw through a spirited performance.

“Didn’t really have much work to do” – Simon Mignolet after facing PSG

The game management by Club Brugge’s Philippe Clement was top-notch. Clement capitalized on the absence of Verratti in PSG’s midfield and instructed his troops to overload and pressurize the midfield. The lack of dynamism in PSG’s midfield and the pressure from Brugge strangled the Parisians.

Despite overloading the midfield, it’s an understatement to say that PSG had enough individual talent to win the match. This is where Club Brugge used their tactics well. Simon Mignolet, Club Brugge’s goalkeeper revealed their defensive tactics. “We played very well collectively. We didn’t give an incredible attack chances,” he said. “You cannot mark them one-on-one, they have so much quality to beat their man. We tried to defend collectively to not leave them any space.” 

The former Liverpool goalkeeper then cheekily said that it was an easy match for him and that he didn’t have much work to do. “I didn’t really have much work to do. I made two, three saves, not very difficult ones at that.” PSG next play Club Brugge on December 5th in the return leg of this fixture. With this fixture being at the Parc des Princes, Messi and PSG would certainly try to take revenge on Mignolet and his men for the first fixture.

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