Mauricio Pochettino first match as the new PSG coach didn’t go according to plan as the Ligue 1 champions drew 1-1 with Saint-Etienne.
Four days after succeeding Thomas Tuchel who led PSG to their first Champions League final last August, Pochettino was left contemplating the task at hand following PSG’s performance at Geoffroy Guichard.
St-Etienne took the lead in the 19th minute when Hamouma fired home after Idrissa Gueye was dispossessed In front of the area.
Three minutes later, in the first half, Moise Kean canceled out Romain Hamouma’s opener although PSG was unable to find the net again as they set Lyon, who beat Lens 3-2 open up a three-point lead at the top of the table.
Paris Saint Germain was held to a 1-1 draw with St-Etienne in Pochettino first game in charge of the club as the French side failed to make their ball possession count.
In total, PSG enjoyed nearly 70% of possession in the absence of Neymar who is still recovering from an ankle injury.
Regardless of the draw, PSG moved up to second on 36 points from 18 games leapfrogging Lille on goal difference after the northerners slumped to a 2-1 defeat at home against Angers.
“It was a difficult game. We need to keep working. I’m not looking for excuses but we need to improve the way we play and to improve our performances”. Pochettino said.
“We are PSG, we must win. I arrived three days ago but I’m happy with the way the players tried to apply what we worked on during practice”.
On the other hand, St-Etienne who are looking to extend their unbeaten run to seven matches tested goalkeeper Keylor Navas with strikes from Mathieu Debuchy and Denis Bouanga.
Contrary, home goalkeeper Jessy Moulin pulled off a good save to deny Angel di Maria and substitute Pablo Sarabia who fired close range in stoppage time.