Troyes-PSG: Mbappé obviously, depression in the stands… Favorites and scratches from our special correspondent

At the Dawn Stadium

FAVORITES

And 24. As in the last three matches, Kylian Mbappé found the net on Sunday, in Troyes (1-3). His 24th goal of the season in Ligue 1. Enough to allow PSG to take a big step towards the title of champion of France (the ranking here). A goal that also allows him to return to the height of Alexandre Lacazette in the ranking of scorers in the championship. The Lyonnais had indeed taken the lead from the Parisian in favor of his quadruple earlier in the day (5-4 victory against Montpellier). For the rest, Mbappé, wearing a big red strap on the right thigh, was very available. Without Leo Messi (suspended) and Neymar (injured), he did his best to offer solutions and relieve his circles when the need arose. Finally, he still had little success, except on the action of the goal, opportunistic of the head after seeing a center pushed back on the bar.

For his first tenure since March 11, in Brest (2-1 victory), Warren Zaire-Emery was not spoiled. He had to make up for the absences of Ashraf Hakimi, Nordi Mukiele and Timothée Pembélé as right piston. Obviously, that's not his job. Nevertheless, the 17-year-old titi still produced a very clean copy, a lot of seriousness and application, projections, solidity... He doesn't have the reflexes for the job, no one will blame him. But we can trust him. "WZE", a player with a future. We didn't find out on Sunday.

Troyes will not have hoped for long. A handful of minutes after the reduction of the score by Xavier Chavalerin (83rd), Fabian Ruiz showered the Stade de l'Aube with a marvelous strike from the left in the skylight (86th). Silky. And precious, this goal avoiding the Parisians an end to the match with an uncertain outcome. The former Neapolitan also had a full match, it's rare enough to be underlined, with several situations in front of goal (21st, 26th, 65th). Note that two of the three Parisian goals were scored by midfielders, it hasn't happened often this season.

CLAW STRIKES

Accustomed to a gloomy context on their side, the Parisians should not have been out of place in Troyes. If it is not yet acted, Estac will more than likely evolve in Ligue 2 next season. It must be said that the Aube club now remains on 18 matches without a win… The Stade de l'Aube announcer did not have the heart to hope for an improbable rise in the standings before the match. And the local ultras are not fooled… “We are in Ligue 2”, they quickly sang, between several messages against the City group, owner of the club. "City group? City out”, could we read on a banner. The Estac ultras then made a mistake, throwing smoke bombs on the lawn, which of course caused the meeting to be interrupted for a few moments. It is already clearly too much. There were also a few firecrackers thrown on the lawn after the third Parisian goal, at the end of the match.

Those of PSG … were asked to turn back. The club canceled their tickets early on Sunday but some CUP members made the trip anyway. There were still a few hundred Parisian supporters in the visitor parking lot. They took the opportunity to send messages against the management, before starting to encourage the players of Paris Saint-Germain after long minutes of silence. Both sides agreed on at least one point: "Freedoms for the ultras." Surprising atmosphere, in this game of depressives.

However, the previous opponents of PSG had shown the way: against the men of Christophe Galtier, it is often enough to play to create danger. Troyes however chose… the technique of the goal. A line of five, a line of four and the only Ike Ukbo in front. A bit chilly, even to thwart the threat represented by Mbappé in depth... That didn't stop Wilson Odobert and company from creating chances and forcing Gigio Donnarumma to sparkle at the end of the first period, which which says a lot about the fragility of Paris, like finding a way to concede a goal in the second half… Victory yes, certainty no.

Deprived of Leo Messi for the reasons that we know, Galtier launched Hugo Ekitike at the Stade de l'Aube. A golden opportunity for the former Rémois, lacking playing time, confidence and… lots of things. He didn't take advantage of it. Certainly, the lack of rhythm and benchmarks is probably for something. He also had cramps a quarter of an hour from the end, in a match where he was heckled by the Trojan supporters. We cannot blame Ekitike for a lack of activity, he who started with a big entry opportunity and who often came down to touch the ball. Alas, he did not achieve much… Knowing that Messi is a priori suspended for two weeks, we should however see Hugo Ekitike in action on the next day, against AC Ajaccio.