Mbappé and PSG make an impression

DECRYPTION – Led by a great Kylian Mbappé, the Parisians made short work of Montpellier on Sunday evening, at La Mosson, before the international break.

“The Parisians had a great team today, we saw it, we conceded six goals, it’s a bit of a pain in the ass”. Signed Teji Savanier, whose language is as flowery in front of the microphones as his right paw is tasty on the meadow. “We will have to bounce back to get there”adds the Montpellier leader, on Amazon Prime Video, after the defeat in the form of correction against PSG (2-6) on Sunday, at La Mosson, during the 26th day of Ligue 1. The MHSC will indeed have to raise its head to carry out its maintenance operation. The Rouge et Bleu will aim to continue their momentum. Solid leaders in the ranking with 12 points ahead of their runner-up, Brest, they are “closer and closer” of the title, as Vitinha recognized. “There are eight days left. You have to play every match with the same intensity and the same seriousness.”added the Portuguese, brilliant, with a goal and two assists on Sunday.

Whether he plays a step lower, like against Real Sociedad, or higher, like in Hérault, the former Porto player is gaining momentum. “I feel good when I’m on the pitch. It’s nice to gain strength, to feel good on the pitch. With the dynamic, the confidence of the team, things come naturally. We must continue. If you don’t have consistency, it’s worthless. The most important thing is that the team is very good”smiles «Viti», in excellent French. He mainly speaks «Luis Enrique» wonderfully on the ground. And all his teammates with him. Aside from a poorly controlled end of the first period, with two goals conceded, the French champions made a strong impression collectively at the start of the match and in the second half.

Read alsoMontpellier-PSG: Vitinha size boss, the defense of the MHSC with absent subscribers… the tops and the flops

It’s a privilege and I’ve said it from the first day here: I’m lucky because I have incredible players.

Luis Enrique

Before the international break and especially before approaching the final sprint of the season, including the double confrontation against FC Barcelona (April 10 and 16), it bodes well. Also a scorer, Kang-in Lee put in a great performance. Ditto for Achraf Hakimi, the decisive double passer Randal Kolo Muani or the scorer Nuno Mendes. The latter came on at half-time to replace Lucas Hernandez, victim of a muscle problem. “They have a lot of talented players. We take three goals on which we have to go out on the shooter… When we leave them comfortable, they find the angles… We have to be more aggressive”plague Michel Der Zakarian, evoking Parisians “stronger” as his players on Sunday. “At times, things went too fast for us”summarizes the Montpellier coach. “It’s a privilege and I’ve said it from the first day here: I’m lucky because I have incredible players, with great qualities and the will to fight all the time”savors Luis Enrique.

Individual talent, yes, and a PSG which is moving forward in terms of collective expression too. And there is Kylian Mbappé. God only knows if he would have started if Ousmane Dembélé had not had to withdraw. Still, the Paris native splashed the match with his talent. Not happy, triple! Three spectacular goals, with a special mention for the second, a succulent curling right from the corner of the area. “He is incredible”ignites Vitinha, in the mixed zone. “When we give him time, he has the talent to put it where it’s needed”plague Der Zakarian, in conf’. «MDZ» who has not, moreover, “nothing to worry about” of the scheduled departure of the captain of the Blues.

Also read “We must take advantage of Mbappé as much as we can”: Luis Enrique in admiration of his attacker

Mbappé, return to grace

Obviously, the subject interests Luis Enrique much more… who is not surprisingly facing the media. In recent weeks, he has not hesitated to take Mbappé out at half-time or to put him on the bench during the French championship. Not in the Champions League or the Coupe de France, however… The 53-year-old Spanish technician changes his tune: “He was exceptional. We have to make the most of it while we can.”. Go figure…

The Parisians remain on 20 matches without defeat on the road in the league. PASCAL GUYOT / AFP

Note that the future ex-Parisian scored his 250th goal in Rouge et Bleu. Between his years in Monaco and Paris, he has scored 288 goals in Ligue 1, making him the eighth top scorer in the championship ahead of Fleury Di Nallo (187). As for 2023-24, he has 24 goals in L1, nine more than Jonathan David (15). Last but not least, «KM» finished with at least one goal and one assist for the seventh time this season on Sunday. Nobody does better in the five major championships.

In summary, Mbappé and PSG are doing well, thank you for them. “It was a very complete match. We had defensive problems, we conceded too many counterattacks. But we showed our ambitions in the second half, with spectacular goals”analyzes Luis Enrique. “We had a very good match, we started very well, we scored twice, and we relaxed a little, it hurt, we conceded two more goalsgrince Vitinha. However, we must emphasize the attitude and our reaction after the break. It’s not easy to play here. After the 2-2, we could have been worried… But we did the opposite, we reacted in the best way, we responded, we showed what PSG is. It was almost perfect because we conceded two goals but it was a good evening.” Very good.

Read alsoLigue 1: PSG crushes Montpellier at the end of a crazy match thanks to a hat-trick from Mbappé

The triple ? We will try, with all our heart.

Luis Enrique

It is up to the Parisians to continue on this path, one which gives the feeling that they have reached a milestone, they who remain in 24 matches without defeat in all competitions. They are also undefeated in their last 20 Ligue 1 away matches. Only Lyon did better between March 2005 and April 2006 (21). “Take a step forward? This is good proof. We knew we would be 12 points ahead of second if we won. We want to prove to our opponents that we are ready to win every match, as a team, with all the players.”, insists Luis Enrique. Remember that Paris remained on three draws in L1, the Spanish coach and his players having clearly placed the emphasis on the Coupe de France and the Champions League. Nasser Al-Khelaïfi calls for “patience”, but Paris is still in the race for the C1/L1/Coupe treble. “We will try, with all our heart”traffic «Fought».

Relegated eight lengths behind Real in the La Liga standings and already eliminated in the Copa del Rey, the Barcelonans only have the Champions League to aim for. Barcelona people who have hardly been impressive since the start of the season. Their 3-0 victory on Sunday at Atlético, with two goals and an assist from Robert Lewandowski, reminds us that it will not be easy. Moreover, FC Barcelona will only have one La Liga match to play after the break and before heading to Paris, compared to three for Paris, including the Classic in Marseille (March 31) and the semi-final of Coupe de France against Rennes (April 3). In the meantime, Paris left its mark on Sunday.