2020 is a challenging year for many footballers as they navigated through the coronavirus pandemic and long layoffs before seeing the pitch again.
Mauro Icardi is having a difficult start to the 2020-21 season as he’s only made four appearances in the campaign. The Paris Saint-Germain striker contracted the coronavirus and picked up a medial collateral ligament knee injury that’s kept him off the pitch for seven matches thus far.
When he first arrived in Paris, the Argentina international got off to a hot start in the goal-scoring department. Icardi seemed like the easy choice to replace Edinson Cavani; however, once the calendar turned to 2020, it’s gone downhill for the 27-year-old.
Icardi didn’t feature in both UEFA Champions League Round of 16 fixtures against Borussia Dortmund. Furthermore, once the Champions League resumed last August in Lisbon, Portugal. Icardi got the start against Atalanta BC, but after being ineffective, the PSG striker road the bench the rest of the tournament.
Icardí decided to speak in an interview with DAZN (Foot Mercato) to speak first-hand about what is happening in his football career, and one of the first topics was his transition to the capital club.
“I quickly adapted to the group and the companions. Last year was a bit of a transition as my wife continued to live in Italy with the children who were going to school,” Icardi said. “We didn’t know if we were going to stay in Paris because I was only on loan. It took a year, but this year we decided to move everything to Paris and start a new life here. I am very happy. I have integrated well. There is a united group in the locker room.”
Then the 27-year-old defended his style of play because it’s what can help cause him to go through a cold streak in the goal-scoring department.
“In Italy, I was criticized a lot because I was criticized for touching the ball very few times. But to be honest, my game has always been like this: stay in the shadows and then spring at the right time,” Icardi said.
“Today, with the quality of my teammates (at PSG), who often have possession of the ball, I think I have to be always ready in the box to be on the lookout when the time comes. In Italy, the game is very tactical, and it’s pretty much the same in Ligue 1. The teams often play behind, and it’s difficult to score. We must, therefore, find the right time to score.”
With Moise Kean now looking to take over the striker position, Icardi is definitely feeling pressure to perform once he returns from injury.
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
