Messi, Neymar, Mbappe: €1bn attacking trio fail to shine in first match together

Paris Saint-Germain fans were given the first taste of their expensively assembled frontline of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in the opening UEFA Champions League fixture against Club Brugge. The attacking trio that cost up to €1bn in transfer fees and wages shared the pitch for the first time at the Jan Breydel Stadion in Belgium. In a free transfer this summer, 6-time Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi teamed up with his Brazilian friend, Neymar and World Cup-winning forward, Kylian Mbappe. 

Tight scheduling and international commitments have hitherto prevented Europe's most fearful attacking trio to play together But those were not a problem today. Mauricio Pochettino lined up them in a 4-3-3 formation with the front three comprising of Messi on the right-wing, Neymar on the left and Mbappe playing through the middle. Despite their attacking potentials, the trio did not set the match on fire. 

Despite being individually brilliant players, it looks like the 3 players have not blended to move a unit of attacking menace. The trio of Messi, Neymar and Mbappe failed to score in the match away at Club Brugge. Indeed, the trio lasted only 50 minutes on the pitch together as Kylian Mbappe was substituted for Mauro Icardi in the 50th minute of the match. PSG still went on to draw the game, with a 1-1 final scoreline.

It can be said that due to the limited time they've spent in training together, the 3 players have not had the time to do a lot of training exercises together. Mauricio Pochettino will now get at least 2 days to work with his star forwards, hoping that they'll click into gear when the Parisians host Olympique Lyonnais on Sunday 19th September at the Parc des Princes.