MAURICIO POCHETTINO has played down a rift with Lionel Messi as the Paris Saint-Germain boss defended his decision to substitute the forward.
The 49-year-old took off his Argentine compatriot during the 2-1 win against Lyon on Sunday, with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner snubbing a handshake offer from him.
Messi looked visibly upset with Poch after being hauled off in the 75th minute for right-back Achraf Hakimi with PSG searching for a winner.
The pair exchanged words as the 34-year-old made his way to the dugout, with ex-Tottenham gaffer Pochettino lifting the lid on what they said.
He told reporters after the game: “I think we all know we have great players in this 35-man squad.
“Only 11 can play, we can’t play more. The decisions in the game are made for the good of the team and each player.
“Every coach thinks about that. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes players like it and sometimes they don’t.
“At the end of the day, that’s why we’re here. These are decisions that have to be made by the coach.
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“As for his reaction, I asked him how he was, he said he was okay. That was it. That was our exchange.”
Pochettino was spared criticism from fans by taking Messi off as Mauro Icardi popped up with the winner for PSG in the 93rd minute.
Les Parisiens have maintained their perfect record in Ligue 1 this season having won all six of their matches.
But Messi is yet to get on the score sheet for the French giants, with the Barcelona legend also failing to register an assist.
Following PSG’s goalless draw away at Club Brugge in the Champions League, ex-Liverpool striker Michael Owen stated Messi has made the club WEAKER.
The BT Sport pundit said: “As much as we drool over them, this PSG team with those forwards, they’re all phenomenal players in their own right.
“But three together makes it weaker for me and I don’t really understand why they’re one of the favourites for it [the Champions League].
“I think the English teams [Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Man Utd] are far, far superior.
“I almost feel as though the signing of the likes of [Gianluigi] Donnarumma and Sergio Ramos gives them more of a chance of winning it than the signing of someone like Messi.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
