A year and a half ago, Kylian Mbappé, in an Instagram story, was dissatisfied with the fact of playing as a reference for Paris Saint Germain, even going so far as to declare in a French national team concentration that he felt “much more comfortable.” with Les Bleus by having a ‘9’, Olivier Giroud, ahead of them. The famous ‘Pivot Gang’, which shook Paris for several weeks, has changed since the arrival of Luis Enrique, who has convinced the Les Bleus captain with arguments and actions to act as the most advanced player on his team.
We must go back to the end of 2023 to find the turning point of the tactical change carried out by the Asturian coach. PSG lost 0-1 against Newcastle in the Champions League and their qualification for the round of 16 in the group of death was shaky. Luis Enrique decided to move Mbappé to the center from the left wing to play with two pure wingers, Barcola and Dembélé, next to him. The result was clear, since Paris Saint Germain managed to tie – from a dubious penalty – in the 97th minute and, from then on, Mbappé established himself in the reference position.
The main reason that explains this change, beyond the potential of Bondy’s star to play in any position, is the poor performance of Gonçalo Ramos and Kolo Muani, both signed for more than 150 million euros last summer, and the emergence of Barcola as left winger. Although Mbappé acts as ‘9’, he is by no means a fixed position, as could be seen last Sunday, in Lens, after assisting, Neymar-style, Barcola in space. Playing free, as it has always wanted, PSG has found a system in which the three offensive pieces, Mbappé Barcola and Dembélé, row in the same direction.
“It is a pleasure to play with a player of his quality,” Barcola declared this week to PSG TV. The Lyon youth player is Mbappé’s best partner, with whom he exchanges positions and with whom he gets along wonderfully. Dembélé, who is already the top assist in Ligue 1, granting him a decisive pass in space in Lens, is the player who understands him best and with whom, in addition, he has had a fantastic relationship for years.
“When I spoke with him (Luis Enrique), he told me that a good player can play in several positions, so I think I am a good player. The good thing is that, no matter what position you play, the coach adapts to the players’ qualities, so we never clash. He wants me to play in the center, on the left or on the right, but I want to play. I don’t think he has any problem performing well,” Mbappé said on January 31, after winning the Super Cup, about his new position on the field.
Mbappé’s disagreements with his position on the field have been transformed with an acceptance of the new role that Luis Enrique has given him, evidence that the relationship between the two, despite some brief critical moments, is very cordial and positive for development. of the team. If nothing changes, the former Monaco player will have to settle as ‘9’ until the end of the season, also in the Champions League tie against Real Sociedad, which starts on February 14.
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2024-01-20 10:52:08
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