Poch ‘adapts’ to Messi, Neymar, Mbappe
Mauricio Pochettino admits he needed to ‘adapt’ in order to fit Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe into the same star-studded side.
Paris Saint-Germain arguably boast the best front three in world football after landing Messi from Barcelona last summer.
The trio have 35 goals between them so far this season, with a further 32 assists.
And PSG are now hoping to move one step closer to lifting the Champions League by seeing off Real Madrid in tonight’s last 16, second leg clash.
However, history has shown that not all teammates can gel, especially those used to playing individual starring roles at other sides.
Many predicted having Messi, Neymar and Mbappe in the same team would actually hinder PSG’s progress.
But the giants are 13 points clear in the Ligue 1 title race thanks to the trio clicking quickly.
And Pochettino reveals it was down to him as manager to ‘adapt’ and find the perfect solution for all three superstars.
He told Rio Ferdinand’s Between the Lines: “I think that you need to adapt because Messi and Neymar are not young guys that came through the academy, they are world champions, just like Kylian.
“But to be honest, they love football and have the passion. They want to be involved in the decisions and need to know the idea of how we are going to play and they are not difficult.
“They connect very well with the idea to be connected to the team. And I think that it’s a very good game that we play, we press really high.”