Saint-Etienne (AFP)

Mauricio Pochettino was not really successful on his debut: his Paris SG was held in check in Saint-Étienne (1-1), Wednesday for the 18th day, and is still moving away from the head of Ligue 1.

"Pocket" is already losing ground ... PSG goes back to second place but finds itself three lengths behind Lyon, the leader, and its new coach has his work cut out for him.

In a balanced match, with so many chances on each side, the vice-champions of Europe were jostled by the Greens (14th) in the freezing cold of Geoffroy-Guichard.

They were even led, after the goal of Romain Hamouma (19), before the rapid equalization of Moise Kean (22).

Like Laurent Blanc, in Montpellier, and on the same score, "Poche" started with a draw.

All the other technicians chosen by the Qatari owners had opened their mandate with a victory.

With his new workforce riddled with injury (Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe, Danilo Pereira ...), the Argentinian (48 years old) could not really make his mark on the starting XI.

The novelty came from the positioning of Marco Verratti, higher than usual, almost in a role of N.10.

The idea seems promising, the Italian is a decisive passer on Kean's equalizer, but suddenly his science of relaunching failed a little further down the field.

Pochettino also started off with a four-way defense, with a Marquinhos-Thilo Kehrer hinge who suffered against the green forwards.

Unsurprisingly, the ex-mentor of Tottenham has aligned Kylian Mbappé on the left, a world champion not inspired all the time, but who brings the Parisian goal.

Pochettino, who had spent only three days with the group before this match, will have to do better against Brest on Saturday, hoping for the return of Neymar, who has not yet resumed collective training.

- Kehrer and Gueye at fault -

This first match gave the Argentinean a more precise idea of ​​the extent of the construction site that awaits him.

His team has never reigned over the match, as PSG can sometimes do.

The first big opportunity was Stéphanoise, a powerful header from Harold Moukoudi on a corner from Romain Hamouma (9).

On the raise, a jewel of passing from Marco Verratti launched Moise Kean towards Jessy Moulin, but the green keeper won the duel (10).

Two minutes later he boxed a powerful header from Marquinhos under the bar (12).

Just after Stéphane Ruffier's contract was terminated, Moulin shone.

After these rather exciting beginnings, Pochettino received his first cold shower: a nerd goal where the responsibility of Thilo Kehrer and especially of Gana Gueye is heavily involved, on a catastrophic recovery.

Saint-Étienne took advantage of the gift and marked by Hamouma.

The last goal of the Stéphanois striker dated back to victory in Marseille: he likes to score against the greats of France ...

- New role for Verratti -

The cruel hazing of Pochettino did not last too long, PSG quickly equalized by Moise Kean, on an action where Mbappé played Mathieu Debuchy and where Verratti served his first assist in his new role.

"Debuche" almost redeemed himself by scoring with a splendid volley, but Kaylor Navas dived, not trapped by the rebound just in front of him (43).

The second half was less pleasant, and each team had the same number of opportunities.

Denis Bouanga had two, countered by Kaylor Navas (65) and ... the crossbar (70).

Kean sent one into the clouds by leaning too much when he was very well placed (71), then Moulin again released a very good shot from Angel Di Maria (76).

Pochettino, in a long black jacket, standing near the pitch most of the match, gave voice and gesture.

After the equalizer, he spoke to his captain, Marquinhos, on the edge of the sideline, to discuss placement, obviously (23).

He also spoke with Verratti while we were treating Debuchy, who fell on his shoulder (38).

Pochettino made his first changes on the hour mark, Julian Draxler for Gueye and Timothée Pembele for Colin Dagba (63), but without influencing the course of the match.

There is work.

© 2021 AFP