Life after Julian Nagelsmann has not exactly been rosy at RB Leipzig, who remain winless and pointless in the 2021-22 Champions League at the midway point in Group A, but they certainly gave PSG a good run for their money.
Marsch’s men appeared to be travelling back to Germany with a memorable win in the bag at the Parc des Princes as Nordi Mukiele and Andre Silva cancelled out Kylian Mbappe’s opener, but Messi struck twice in the second 45 minutes before Mbappe blazed a last-gasp spot kick over the bar.
A previous thumping at the hands of Manchester City and dismal 2-1 defeat to Club Brugge sees Leipzig sit rock bottom of the rankings with three group games left to play, and the Bundesliga side are guaranteed to finish the week in fourth no matter what transpires here.
Marsch’s side do not exactly welcome PSG to the Red Bull Arena in great form either, as they were denied all three points in cruel fashion against Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend, with Yussuf Poulsen’s strike cancelled out by Tuta’s header in the fourth minute of second-half injury time.
Far from a consistent side on home soil – although they have won their last two against Bochum and Greuther Furth – Leipzig are already fighting an uphill battle to nab a top-two finish in Group A and could see those slim hopes evaporate with a less-than-desirable result this week.
The wounded champions taking on the relentless challengers in Ligue 1 only spelled one outcome during PSG’s battle with Lille, although Mauricio Pochettino’s side were made to work for their victory after Dogues hotshot Jonathan David opened the scoring in the first half.
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However, centre-back Marquinhos produced a striker’s finish with a well-taken volley after 74 minutes to draw his side back into the game, and in the last knockings of the contest, Angel Di Maria coolly slotted home in another somewhat unconvincing win for the league leaders.
At the end of the day, PSG’s standing at the top of the table is the only statistic that counts, and with seven points taken from their opening three Champions League clashes, Pochettino’s men remain one point clear of Manchester City at the top of Group A.
Les Parisiens have won three of their last four in all competitions heading into Wednesday’s game – although all three of those successes came at the Parc des Princes – and Pochettino’s side will be out to end a two-game winless and goalless run away from home at the Red Bull Arena
