MESSI IN CHAMPS ACTION FOR PSG
LIONEL Messi made his first Paris Saint-Germain start in a 1-1 draw at Club Brugge in the Champions League on Wednesday, while last season’s runners-up Manchester City won a highscoring thriller.
Real Madrid, the record 13time European champions, left it late to beat Inter Milan at the San Siro in a section topped by Moldovan debutants Sheriff Tiraspol after the first round of group stage matches.
Argentine star Messi lined up with both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for the first time, after being limited to just 24 minutes in a PSG shirt since his shock exit from Barcelona.
Ander Herrera, who scored twice in the weekend win over Clermont, gave PSG the lead by steering in Mbappe’s cross on 15 minutes, but Brugge soon levelled through Hans Vanaken.
Messi curled against the bar from the corner of the area but PSG then lost Mbappe to injury and had to settle for a point against a team viewed as makeweights in a demanding Group A.
“We need time for them to get to know each other,” PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said of his all-star attack.
“We have to improve and find the right balance, I said that before, but we must stay calm. I’m happy with how Messi played, his desire and his attitude, and the way he’s adjusting.”
Pep Guardiola’s City, beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in May’s final in Porto, overcame a hat-trick from Christopher Nkunku to beat RB Leipzig 6-3 at the Etihad Stadium.
Nathan Ake headed City ahead from a corner and Nordi Mukiele’s own goal doubled their advantage, but Nkunku nodded in to get Leipzig back in the game.
Riyad Mahrez added a third with a penalty before halftime only for Nkunku to head in again early in the second half.
Jack Grealish notched his first Champions League goal after his British record £100 million ($136 million) signing, with Nkunku completing his treble before Joao Cancelo and Gabriel Jesus strikes wrapped up a wild victory for City.