Messi, Neymar, Mbappe Fail to Score As Club Brugge Force PSG to 1–1 Draw
- PSG have started their quest for the Champions League title on the back foot following a draw at Club Brugge
- Despite that Mauricio Pochettino listed Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe to start the game, it was Ander Herrera that got PSG's goal
- The visitors drew level courtesy a fine strike by Hans Vanaken as both teams could only share the spoils on the night
Our manifesto: This is what YEN.com.gh believes in
French club Paris Saint-Germain were forced to a 1-1 draw by Belgian side Club Brugge in their opening fixture in the Champions League, Marca reports.
PSG begin their quest for European glory on Wednesday, September 15 when they took on Belgian side Club Brugge away at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
The highly-entertaining encounter ended in a draw as Ander Herrera's goal was cancelled out by Hans Vanaken, with bith goals.
Source: Getty Images
He hosts began the game on the front-foot and in the first 10 minutes, the electric trio of PSG, Messi, Neymar and Mbappe failed to get into the game, as the hosts look the more energetic of the two sides.
Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel for more!
In the 11th minute, PSG were lucky not to have been reduced to ten men after Leandro Paredes failed to control the ball at the back, slipping beneath his feet, and ended up making a rash challenge.
Fortunately for him, Marquinhos was on the cover, otherwise it would've been a red card.
And it was the French side that opened the scoring in the 16th minute courtesy a fine finish by Ander Herrera.
The goal came after a fine work by Mbappe down the left, who cut the ball back to the penalty spot, and it's Ander Herrera on hand to tuck it away with his left foot. It's the Spaniard's fourth goal of the campaign. 0-1.
However, Brugge drew level in the 27th minute following a fine striker by Hans Vanaken. The Belgian star arrived late in the box and latched onto a perfect Eduard Sobol cutback to divert the ball beyond Keylor Navas. 1-1 in Brugge.
Six minutes into the second half, Kylian Mbappe fell injured after a clip on the ankles. He had to be replaced by Mauro Icardi.
PSG were desperate for the winner, but somehow they failed to find the back of the net again - and that was how it ended; Club Brugge 1-1 PSG.
Pochettino tips Chelsea for Champions League glory
Meanwhile, YEN.com.gh earlier reported that PSG manager Pochettino has stated that Premier League club Chelsea are the team to beat in the Champions League this season.
The Argentine admitted that the Blues are the reigning champions of the elite competition and they remain favourites to retaining the title due to the strengthening of the squad.
Following the arrival of Lionel Messi to PSG, football pundits and fans have tipped PSG for glory, but Pochettino maintained that the Blues cannot be discounted.
Source: YEN.com.gh
