PSG have big problems but anything is possible with Kylian Mbappé

“Incomprehensible at all levels.” The statement by the Collectif Ultras Paris, a prominent PSG fangroup, was typically robust. It accused the club of “offering us something that we can no longer support,” while “forgetting its heritage” and “piling up stars like a spoiled child” amid drama “more worthy of a telenovela than a professional football club.” Their extreme forthrightness aside, the fans’ unrest is a symptom of a wider unease at the Parc des Princes. Never have PSG entered the last-16 stage of the Champions League amid such top-down uncertainty.

At first glance, PSG might appear to be in a strong position. Mauricio Pochettino boasts the world’s most talented attacking trident, an experienced and deep pool of players in every position and, for once, minimal injury concerns, with Neymar and Sergio Ramos both close to a return. Their once notoriously cliquey squad appears more relaxed than it has been for some time and, given that the group of teams behind them in Ligue 1 keep beating each other, they seem assured of the French title.

Nevertheless, PSG have rarely approached their annual Champions League denouement facing greater internal conflict. After a decade of Qatari ownership, the Champions League remains the club’s holy grail and 2022 has already seen fan protests, a search for a new manager, another non-event of a transfer window for outgoings, and renewed uncertainty over Kylian Mbappé’s future. All the while, PSG’s performances continue to underwhelm.

Lionel Messi’s form is a big concern. After 38 goals and 18 assists in 48 games for Barcelona last season, the 34-year-old has slumped to just two goals in 14 league games for PSG. Given his previously biblical goalscoring, the criticism has been swift,