PSG-Clermont: the titis show themselves, arbitration (again) in question... Favorites and scratches

FAVORITES

Contrary to what he had said but as one could expect, Luis Enrique played widely to face Clermont (1-1) on Saturday, during the 28th day, four days from PSG-Barça. Two titis took the opportunity to invite themselves into the starting 11, Senny Mayulu as left winger and Yoram Zague, as left back. The first already had three matches with the first team to his credit, and a goal in Orléans, but no start, while the second played his first minutes with the pros. “They met expectations,” praised Luis Enrique, who was right. Mayulu notably played a good game. He even scored a superb goal just before the break. Goal ultimately refused due to a foul by… Zague. The results of the two titis are nevertheless positive. “I congratulate everyone, in particular Yoram Zague and Senny Mayulu, players from the training center who have a lot of qualities. They did a very good job and showed that they can play with us,” said “Lucho”.

Also read: Luis Enrique after PSG-Clermont: “I congratulate everyone, especially Zague and Mayulu”

PSG's B team did not have the match of the year on Saturday evening, particularly in terms of intensity. And the level of the opposition was not particularly high... However, Paris, which already had the lead in Barcelona, ​​refused to lose, equalizing in the 86th minute thanks to Gonçalo Ramos. The Rouge et Bleu remain unbeaten in 27 matches in all competitions (19 wins, 8 draws). They have not lost since Milan (3-2) at the beginning of November. The second longest such streak in a season since the 1993-94 campaign (37 matches). Obviously a good omen before the C1 on Wednesday, even if this obviously does not provide any guarantee.

“I see a lot of unity between our supporters and the club,” underlines Luis Enrique. Last year at the same time, the rag was burning between the Parisian fans and the management, the players, everyone. Change of scenery in 2024. The group is living well. The PSG family lives well. The banners displayed in the Auteuil corner during the match demonstrate this. “President Nasser, Mr Campos and coach Enrique, a trio which puts PSG in the spotlight”, we could read on the first. The following were intended to vilify the former Parisian sports director, Antero Henrique, who remained close to Qatar and who some sources suggest is working behind the scenes to find his place, pushing Luis Campos towards the exit. “Antero Henrique, the cancer of PSG”, judges the Collectif Ultras Paris. And added: “The only Enrique we want at PSG is Luis.” At present, it is impossible to know whether Campos will continue in Paris, he who was notably recruited in order to keep Kylian Mbappé. One thing is certain: the Ultras have chosen their side.

It was only a matter of time. Entering the game in the 67th minute, Marquinhos played his 435th match for Parisian colors on Saturday. Record equaled. The Brazilian joins Jean-Marc Pilorget as the most capped player in the history of the capital club. The opportunity for the Parisian captain to send a message to the leaders, while he says here and there that he might not be accepted in the event of a good offer. “It’s incredible… It’s an honor to have made it this far. I am 29 years old. My future is still at PSG. End up in Paris? It wouldn't be bad. Afterwards, we know what football is like, it goes very quickly… I hope that I will always be in the project of the club, the coach, the president. As far as I am concerned, I feel committed to the club, the project, the jersey, I will be very happy to spend my entire career here,” he declared on Canal, he who was greeted by Auteuil at the END.

CLAW STRIKES

Luis Enrique is spoiled for choice when it comes to putting together his defense. Apart from Presnel Kimpembe, still stuck in the infirmary, the Spanish coach can count on the returning Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes and Milan Skriniar in addition to Lucas Hernandez, Danilo Pereira and the newcomer Lucas Beraldo, with Achraf Hakimi on the right. Nordi Mukiele is there too, but the ex-Montpellier has little credit in the eyes of “Lucho”. One player fell behind, Skriniar. Entering the game in Marseille (2-0) and against Rennes (1-0), he appeared in the 11th on Saturday. And the Slovak did not take the opportunity to show his advantage. He was notably wrong about the action of the Clermont goal. Febrile. At present, we can imagine that Luis Enrique will favor other options in C1, like Beraldo. Who goes hunting...

Aside from Clermont's direct competitors, like Le Havre for example, no one will blame the Parisians for fielding a B team on Saturday. They had a 12-point lead at the top of the L1 standings before the match, having just played two big matches against Marseille in the league and against Rennes in the Coupe de France. With Barça in sight on Wednesday, Luis Enrique was not going to bring out his best players against the red lantern… However, for the spectacle, it was not really the best evening of the year. Small party. Small first period especially, with Parisians more in intensity after the break. In the end, like the Clermontois, the Parisian public celebrated this draw as a victory, knowing well that the important thing is Wednesday. There is no more.

It's becoming a sad habit, but it's still appropriate to talk about arbitration after PSG-Clermont. We can wonder about the absence of a whistle on the action which leads to Mukiele's exit. Several hands in the area not whistled. And it was necessary to resort to the Var to cancel Mayulu's goal, while Zague's fault was as obvious as it deserved a warning. If you ask Gigio Donnarumma, more additional time should also have been given, knowing that the Clermontois played for time at the end. In short, we no longer understand much about it. Otherwise there needs to be change...