He jumped in all directions, smiled like a kid, walked his happy face to the four corners of the Parisian half of the field, jumping from arm to arm, screaming his joy in the ears of Ousmane Dembélé, in the arms of Luis Enrique, of Gianluigi Donnarumma, as of each of his partners. Kylian Mbappé, and this is an event, will not have found the net this Saturday evening on the lawn of the Pierre-Mauroy stadium.
For the first time this season in the Coupe de France, the top scorer in the history of PSG will not have scored, his total in the competition remaining this season blocked at 8 units, all registered in the five matches preceding this final against OL.
But the triumphant port of his partners in front of the stand filled with delighted Parisian supporters says everything about the importance that the captain of the Blues had in obtaining this 15th Coupe de France gleaned by his club, in this season not like the others and in the course of a club whose history he will have marked, if not having succeeded in winning all hearts. “The Coupe de France is our competition,” recalled the now ex-PSG player after the match. His last match in the Parisian jersey? “I really realize the weight of things. At the Park, there were still things to play when I said my goodbyes. Now, with PSG, I have nothing. I’m happy to end up with a trophy. »
Macron’s words in his ear
His exit, Kylian Mbappé had undoubtedly not dreamed of it like that, so upset by the Lyon rearguard and far from the standards to which he, for seven years, made the Parisian people dance and made his adversaries waltz. From behind the scenes to the pitch, it was he who was promised to don the sequined suit of the one who sparkles more than the others in the spotlight.
It was him, this Saturday, that President Macron came to greet more warmly than the others, with whom he exchanged a few knowing words during the traditional pre-match presentations reserved for the Head of State. It was he who, as in the last Champions League matches, spoke in the circle formed by his team in the center of the pitch before kick-off.
For this 107th Coupe de France final, he immediately showed his intention to mark his last in the Parisian jersey with a milestone or at least with an unblemished performance, impeccable in spirit and play. Too short to extend Beraldo’s cross header (2nd) into the goal, it is first in a tighter perimeter that he will try to make the difference.
No other choice facing this Lyon block grouped in a tight row on its bases than to try to strike after a series of dribbles from Dembélé (9th) or to deceive Perri by wrapping up his attempt (20th).
Kylian Mbappé is carried in triumph by his teammates after PSG’s victory in the Coupe de France against Lyon this Saturday. LP/Arnaud Journois
Without success, like this cross from Dembélé that the captain of the Blues, at full speed, sent into the clouds (39th). His best opportunity of the first forty-five minutes will therefore remain this acrobatic scissors, initiated by a serve from Marquinhos, but which will count for nothing since number 7 was in reality offside.
The main thing is there
The opening score with the header of a very good Dembélé (23rd) and the second goal from Ruiz (34th), before the break, will have the merit of offering a little more space after the break. Not bad news for an alert Mbappé but still not successful. Barcola may well let Dembélé’s cross pass, but Mbappé’s strike will be blocked by O’Brien (49th).
The summary of a second period where he tried numerous times, often seeking to put himself in a striking position, to unbalance his opponent by feigning a start to the left to better return to curl a shot with his right foot. In vain. Even when he eliminates O’Brien with an oriented control, puts the turbo on to stand out and be served by Barcola, it is still Matic who, like ten minutes before (60th), still comes to counter his strike (70th).
Mbappé will not have marked his fourth victory in the Coupe de France with a 36th goal in my competition, a 45th this season which would have allowed him to overtake Harry Kane to end the season alone at the top of the European scorers’ rankings. What does it matter in reality, since before leaving for four days on vacation in the south before joining the Blues, Mbappé will have achieved the essential: winning one last time with Paris.
