Even after Paris Saint-Germain cruised to a 7-2 home win over Maccabi Haifa in UEFA Champions League group stage play, former French forward Jerome Rothen is not yet fully convinced with the team’s Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe attacking trio.
The three star forwards combined to score or assist on six of PSG’s seven goals on the day. When on the ball, the trio simply continues to have its way in the final third. But when off the ball, Rothen, as he noted on RMC Sport‘s “Rothen s’enflamme” program, sees that they each still do not do much to help PSG win back possession.
“On the other hand, the real problem for PSG is without the ball,” Rothen said. “How does PSG do when they lose the ball? Do the three in front want to help the collective to recover it? Today, I tell you that they don’t. This team is too fragile.
“When there is rhythm and technical quality in front of them, they find themselves in danger too quickly, they retreat too easily and they concede too many chances. That’s an area for improvement.”
Overall, PSG won 41 total duels and also tallied 19 successful tackles in the home victory over Maccabi Haifa. The current Ligue 1 leaders made the most out of their time on the ball in the contest, which included 14 total shots inside the box.
PSG will meet Troyes up next for a home matchup on Ligue 1 matchday 13.
