PSG-Strasbourg: Paris winners, Mbappé found, dull atmosphere... Favorites and scratches

At the Parc des Princes

FAVORITES

When discovering the Parisian starting line-up, there was reason to be surprised. By the choice of men first, but also the pattern. What pattern anyway? Everyone had their own guess. 3-4-3? We might have thought so. With the ball, the Parisians finally evolved into a 3-3-4, but Carlos Soler was destined to occupy... the right-back position when he lost the ball, and on the first restarts. “He played very well, a goal and an assist, I am very happy with his performance,” relishes Luis Enrique. We haven't seen his compatriot have such a full match for a long time. Also regularly replacing, Fabian Ruiz also responded, culminating in this magnificent solo goal. The Mbappé/Barcola connection worked rather well on the left. In short, winning bets. “The players who have played little since the start of the season have generally responded,” summarizes Luis Enrique, noting that his team is more “unpredictable”. That's the least we can say...

This match therefore allowed the Spanish coach to give playing time to some (Ruiz, Soler, Lee, Barcola), to rest executives (Ugarte, Hakimi, Dembélé) and to bring out the essential Lucas Hernandez (72nd) quite quickly. ). All while taking the three points (3-0) easily in a match placed between an international window and a shock in the Champions League. And without injuries. In short, perfect evening for PSG before challenging Milan. A priori, not in the same pattern… “Each match is different,” recalled the former Spanish coach, hammering out one of his fixed ideas: “The objective is to have 11 attackers and 11 defenders”. The task will be tougher on Wednesday. In the meantime, the work is done.

We left Kylian Mbappé nervous, frustrated and frustrating before the international break. We found him on his feet, radiant and inspired. Lots of differences (2 out of 3 dribbles), duels won (5 out of 8), bleeding races. It must be believed that the visit to Clairefontaine did him good. However, everything was not perfect. Less visible after the break, when Paris Saint-Germain purred a little. Above all, he missed several opportunities to score a double, after deceiving Mats Sels from the penalty spot. His activity and his recital to offer the break goal to Carlos Soler are nevertheless enough to consider that his match was successful. We will need even more against AC Milan on Wednesday. Note that Mbappé, silent in his last four league outings, sits at the top of the scorers' rankings: seven goals in Ligue 1 since the start of the season.

CLAW STRIKES

We're not going to pretend to be surprised: without the Collectif Ultras Paris, the Parc des Princes displays a flat encephalogram. Arriving at Rue de Commandant Guilbaud on Saturday, we knew well what to expect... A cathedral atmosphere, and Strasbourg supporters at home. If the Auteuil stand was empty, it was because the LFP Disciplinary Commission had imposed a partial closed session on PSG after the homophobic chants sung against OM (4-0) on September 24. Stade Rennes was luckier, only receiving a fine for similar acts in the stands of Roazhon Park. The Lille fans, for their part, fell between the drops. Still, the party was obviously not there on Saturday at the Parc des Princes. The Parisian Ultras, on the other hand, will be there on Wednesday against AC Milan.

Also read: PSG: the whistles… then the mockery, special welcome for Kurzawa’s return

Certainly, we can blame Layvin Kurzawa for getting lost in Paris, he who is now only the shadow of the player used 13 times by Didier Deschamps in Blue and who cost PSG €25 million in 2015. A footballer paid at a high price (600,000 euros gross monthly?). From there to whistling him during his first entry into play under the Parisian colors since August 2021, there is some room... Especially since the public mocked him afterwards. Not very classy, ​​for a player who is trying as best he can to find a place in Paris. Appreciating his “attitude”, Luis Enrique was not obliged to align him. He did it. It’s because he believes that the native of Fréjus deserved it, whatever those who whistled at him on Saturday think…

“Unfortunately, fate was not with us to pose at least a little more problem for them,” whispered Patrick Vieira on Saturday evening. Certainly, PSG is superior in every way to this Racing, even a second PSG. The Alsatian performance remains no less worrying. Where did the flame of the past season go? “The young people will have to learn quickly,” squeaks the 98 world champion, declaring however “satisfied” with his flock “in the state of mind. But we made too many mistakes,” he sums up. Way too many mistakes… And too risky a plan? “We had a choice? The technical quality of the Parisians did not allow us to go any higher. With their speed, it would have been dangerous,” says Vieira. And added: “I am convinced of what we are trying to put in place. The results must be better, I know it. Patience is difficult to control from the outside. I am aware of our shortcomings but we will continue to work.” There is work…