PSG Manager Explains Why Messi Has Been ‘Excluded’ From Defensive Responsibilities

• Paris Saint-Germain boss Christophe Galtier has shared some insight on his team's tactical approach
• According to the French tactician, he has urged his team to support Lionel Messi
• The Argentine on the back of his teammate's support scored the match winner

Christophe Galtier has thrown light on how Lionel Messi produced his match-winning performance as Paris Saint-Germain sealed a 2-1 win over Toulouse.

Galtier gave specific instructions to his team in order to bring out the best in Messi, which yielded the needed results.

The 56-year-old tactician urged his team to support Messi in order to relieve him from defensive tasks. Thus making him more effective in the attacking phase.

His tactical instruction proved a masterstroke as the Argentine genius scored the winning goal as PSG came from behind to beat Toulouse 2-1 on Saturday.

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Explaining how the former Barcelona ace shone, Galtier admitted to making some tactical tweaks which included exempting him from defensive duties.

“I ask the team to play for Leo [Messi] and to work for him," he said as quoted by GFFN.

Galiter continued: "We have to free him of certain tasks. His teammates have to increase their efforts in getting the ball back and create movement so he can play those passes, which are so rare in today’s football, in such tight spaces.”

Marquinhos hails Messi as 'genius'

Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos has heaped praise on Lionel Messi following his match-winning goal.

Lionel Messi, in the absence of teammates Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, carried the Parisians to a nervy 2-1 victory on Saturday evening.

The Argentine's superb strike from outside the box proved the match-winner as PSG clawed from a goal down to secure all three points at stake, per Eurosport.

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Messi scores outrageous goal

Sports Brief earlier reported that Lionel Messi scored the match-winning goal as Paris Saint-Germain sealed back-to-back victories to tighten their grip at the top of Ligue 1.

PSG, who were without the services of forwards Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, needed a stunning strike from Messi to seal a 2-1 win over Toulouse.

Messi then took matters into his hands to deliver a masterstroke with his magical left foot which zoomed straight into the net beyond the outstretched arm of the Toulouse goalie.