When Paris Saint-Germain officially clinched Ligue 1 last week, the expectation was that manager Mauricio Pochettino would go on to feature some of the team’s prospects for the remaining four matches of the season. For one, this was not the case in PSG’s Ligue 1 away fixture against Strasbourg.
Three PSG prospects made the squad list for matchday 35, including Xavi Simons and Edouard Michut. All of them did not receive a single minute of playing time in the contest, as Pochettino instead subbed in Thilo Kehrer, Nuno Mendes and Angel Di Maria off the bench during the second half.
From Pochettino’s standpoint, his reasoning for not playing any of these such talents in the clash with Strasbourg centered on fielding the best team possible against a top-six side in Ligue 1.
“I think it’s really very important to respect our opponents, the other teams,” Pochettino told Prime Video Sport France after PSG’s 3-3 draw result against Strasbourg. “When we play a team like Strasbourg today, who are playing for a place in the European Cup, we have to be professional and play to the best of our abilities, and therefore with the best team possible.”
PSG now has three fixtures remaining in its league schedule, which include a pair of contests at the Parc des Princes.
