PSG appeared lethargic and disinterested without Lionel Messi – who was out with a flu, as the Ligue 1 leaders lost 3-0 at Monaco, with Wissam Ben Yedder scoring twice.
The terrible performance at the Stade Louis II will not assuage the wrath of ultras who have been screaming for sporting director Leonardo and president Nasser Al-Khelaifi to quit since PSG’s departure from the Champions League in the last 16 at the hands of Real Madrid.
PSG has a 15-point advantage at the top of the table with nine games remaining and is on track to equal Saint-record Etienne’s of ten French league titles. With the win, Monaco moved up to seventh place.
The hosts rightfully seized the lead in the 25th minute as Youssouf Fofana created space down the right flank and crossed for Ben Yedder, who tucked it home with a delicate flick with the outside of his foot.
Monaco could have taken a bigger advantage into the half, but they squandered a handful of additional chances before the break.
PSG’s first genuine chance came in the 51st minute, when Kylian Mbappe took advantage of Neymar’s through ball to break into the box, only to shoot wide.
In the 68th minute, substitute Kevin Volland came on to replace Gelson Martins and made an immediate impact, beating PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma from close range after a well-executed collective move.
With six minutes remaining, Ben Yedder scored from the penalty spot after Presnel Kimpembe’s clumsy tackle from behind on Volland. The striker’s kick was parried by Donnarumma, but the ball bounced into the net.
Lionel Messi was unavailable for PSG due to flu-like symptoms. PSG were also without Sergio Ramos, Angel Di Mara, Juan Bernat, Layvin Kurzawa, and Ander Herrera, in addition to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
PSG Fans Boos Messi and Neymar in Their Last Match
One would think that the signing of Lionel Messi from Barcelona last summer was of no significance on PSG’s performance in the Ligue 1, which have been proven so many times as he has just contributed just 2 goals in over 8 months in Paris.
Fans of Paris Saint Germain showed Lionel Messi and Neymar that they are not happy for their failure to help the club go beyond the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Hence, the club’s fans decided to boo the two superstars during the club’s first league game after their exit from the Champions League.
Recall that on March 9, 2022, PSG visited Madrid for the UEFA Champions League round of 16-second leg game and return to Paris in tears.
PSG fans opted to subject Lionel Messi and Neymar to unprecedented criticism when they came out to play against Bordeaux last week as a form of punishment for failing to assist the team progress in the campaign.
