PSG would have struggled even more without Messi, who has 98 goals for Argentina.
Messi was a very important driving force for us, given his goal and the opportunities he created. I’m asking the team to support him by playing and working for him. He needs to be relieved of some responsibilities, coach Christophe Galtier said.
His teammates must step up their efforts to reclaim the ball and create space for him to spray around his rare passes. PSG needs Messi because Bayern Munich comes to town on Feb. 14 for the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 match.
Mbappu00e9 will be out for at least three weeks after tearing his left thigh. Neymar is out with a sore adductor and has missed his second game in a row. PSG’s injury woes were exacerbated when Portugal midfielder Renato Sanches left the game early due to a thigh injury.
PSG had lost two and drawn one of its previous five matches when Van den Boomen’s free kick from the right flew past stranded goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into the left corner in the 20th minute.
After Marquinhos hit the post with a header from Messi’s corner, Hakimi equalized in the 38th minute with a fine 20-meter strike. To the chagrin of Toulouse coach Philippe Montanier, Marquinhos appeared to be offside on Messi’s goal.
I don’t know the rules of refereeing very well, but I played goalkeeper for 30 years, he explained. So I understand how difficult it is when a player gets in the way of the ball.
source: PSGOTHER COMPETITIONS
Edon Zhegrova of Kosovo equalized with a volley and set up substitute Ru00e9my Cabella’s volleyed goal in the 85th minute as Lille won 3-1 at Rennes to move two points ahead of Rennes in fifth place.
After scoring in the third minute in midweek, Rennes forward Amine Gouiri scored after only 28 seconds. Alexandre Lacazette scored his 13th goal of the season, tying him with Mbappu00e9, as Lyon defeated Troyes 3-1.
Second-placed Marseille must defeat Nice at home on Sunday in order to remain five points behind PSG ahead of their match on February 26.
