How Neymar, Mbappe & Messi are finally thriving at PSG

 Champions League: How Neymar, Mbappe & Messi are finally thriving at PSG

On 10 August 2021, the footballing world drew a collective gasp of breath as Lionel Messi joined Paris St-Germain.

It was always assumed that Messi and Barcelona had an unbreakable bond, but the Catalan club's financial situation dictated otherwise and it led to the formation of a star-studded attacking trident, with Neymar and Kylian Mbappe already in the French capital.

Things did not go smoothly during their first season together in Paris though and, despite winning the league, the trio struggled to perform as a cohesive unit that maximised each other's talents.

This culminated in a Champions League last-16 exit at the hands of Real Madrid.

PSG only scored two goals in 180 minutes, which both originated from Mbappe's individual speed and brilliance, rather than any move involving himself, Neymar and Messi.

Former boss Mauricio Pochettino's tactical set-up was seen a major contributor to this, with a reluctance from the Argentine coach to deviate from a 4-3-3 system, leaving 35-year-old Messi and Neymar, 30, in the wide forward roles - not ideal for players lacking explosive page at this stage of their careers.

So, before PSG's Champions League opener at home to Juventus on Tuesday, what has changed since Pochettino's departure?

And could the summer arrival of former Lille and Nice coach Christophe Galtier finally help end their wait for Champions League success?

New manager breathes new life into trio

Messi, Neymar and Mbappe have made an explosive start to the new campaign, with 32 goals and assists between them already this season, as they relish Galtier's 3-4-3 formation.

Neymar and Messi have already got 22 goals and assists after six games this campaign, compared to just 36 in all of last season.

With Sergio Ramos and Marquinhos' range of passing and Presnel Kimpembe's ability to carry the ball into midfield, PSG possess three centre-backs who provide the perfect platform to play possession-based football.

The system also meshes well with the style of their wing-backs. Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi are explosive athletes who flourish when allowed to charge forward and carry the ball into the final third.

Unburdening them from deeper defensive responsibilities, with three centre-backs behind them, allows them this freedom.

In front of the three centre-backs is a midfield double pivot. Galtier seems to have settled on a first-choice pairing of club stalwart Marco Verratti alongside new signing Vitinha, who had a spell with Wolves in the Premier League.

Verratti (averaging 83 passes per game) is given the responsibility to dictate the majority of play from a deeper position while Vitinha (52 passes per game) is often encouraged to push higher up the pitch and initiate combination play with the wing-backs and front three.

This midfield dynamic has ensured the front three are not disconnected from the rest of the team's build-up.

While PSG's wing-backs are allowed to get high up the pitch, Galtier also wants them to stay wide and focus on stretching the pitch to create space, rather than moving infield.

The positional freedom is afforded to the players inside of the wing-backs: Neymar, Mbappe and Messi.