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Champions League group stage review: Paris and Messi are heating up

Lionel Messi has already shown what he’s capable of, yet it was only enough for Paris to finish second in the group. However, the competition should be warned, because a lot can still be expected from this team.

Round of 16: Paris – Real Madrid

The season so far

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Messi’s goal debut from all angles

Second Group A: S3 U2 N1 Tore: 13:8
Top Scorer: Lionel Messi (5)

15.09.: Club Brugge – Paris 1:1 (27. Vanaken; 15. Herrera)
28.09.: Paris – Man City 2:0 (8. Gueye, 74. Messi)
19.10.: Paris – Leipzig 3:2 (9. Mbappé, 67., 74. Messi; 28. André Silva, 57. Mukiele)
03.11.: Leipzig – Paris 2: 2 (8th Nkunku, 90th + 2nd Room; 21st, 39th Wijnaldum)
24.11.: Man City – Paris 2:1 (63. Sterling, 76. Jesus; 50. Mbappé)
07.12.: Paris – Club Brugge 4:1 (2., 7. Mbappe, 38., 76. Messi; 68. Zipper)

The group stage in ten words: A highly talented team looking for the right balance.

The UEFA.com reporter’s view

Despite finishing second in their group behind Manchester City, Paris remain one of the main contenders for the title. The 2019/20 season finalist has everything it takes to be even better this season, however, they need to be more consistent in Europe and Mauricio Pochettino needs to find the best way to develop the offensive around Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi to support.

To analyse

A talented offensive line alone is not necessarily enough to outwit well-formed top teams like City. Lionel Messi has already scored five times and will no doubt have settled in even better by the time the knockout rounds begin. Anything is possible with a Messi in top form.

The best fantasy score collectors

Kylian Mbappé – 44 Punkte
Lionel Messi – 33 points
Marquinhos – 24 Punkte

Framework changes

Clubs can register a maximum of three new players until Wednesday 2 February at 00.00 CET. Since the 2018/19 season, it no longer matters if the players have already played for another club in that competition in the same season, even if that club is still in the competition. As soon as all transfers have been confirmed by UEFA we will publish the complete list on UEFA.com.

Interesting numbers

• Messi has now scored two or more goals in 35 UEFA Champions League games.

• During the group stage, Messi became the third-most-capped player in the UEFA Champions League.

• Mbappé’s opening goal on Matchday 6 was Paris’ 250th goal in the UEFA Champions League, group stage to final.

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