Ethan Mbappé in the stands and, on the pitch, a number 7 who makes the Parc des Princes stand up like one man. The snapshot could, of course, have served as a time machine, instead it opened a window into the present for a pair of refreshing forwards. If the former titi, scorer the day before with LOSC against OM, was present this Saturday to support his training club, it was no longer his older brother that he saw igniting the Parisian enclosure, but this “number 7” with the unpronounceable name who inherited his tunic last January.
An incomparable scorer in Scrabble, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also became one in Ligue 1 this Saturday during the visit of Stade Rennais. Author of a double, his first in the Parisian jersey since PSG-Auxerre on May 17 (3-1), the Georgian was one of the main architects of Paris’ tenth success in Ligue 1. Finally. He who, after packing his bags in the capital during the last winter transfer window, had given the impression of having always worn the Parisian colors as his acclimatization had been immediate, had in fact revealed two faces since the start of the season.
A rather exciting one on a European scene where he has, with two goals and two assists in four matches, been on average decisive in each of his outings. Another, much less sharp in a domestic championship that he has been going through, since the resumption in August, on alternating current. “I make no distinction between the championship and the Champions League,” Luis Enrique assured Friday at a press conference about the double face of his Georgian striker. That’s how it is, you have to accept it. I am very happy with his performance. He is at a high level, he has ambition. All players go through ups and downs in a season. »
A powerful shot under the bar
For the last match of the year 2025 at the Parc des Princes, the Georgian undoubtedly signed his benchmark match of this first half of the season. A Kvara for the big nights, in Champions League mode, worthy of the one who shone against Atalanta Bergamo at the opening of the European campaign, this is the profile that the former Naples player had the good idea to reveal.
It certainly took him a good twenty minutes to get going, warming up by making Frankowski go crazy with his dribbles before seeing him swallow his left side like a candy, return to the axis and place a cross shot from the right at the foot of Samba’s post (28th). This will have had the merit of further liberating the man who had already been the most impactful Parisian.
Good news for Paris, an ordeal for Rennes who will be powerless in the face of the Georgian’s enthusiasm. Failing to see his services for Mayulu (51st) and Dembélé hit the mark (64th), he will therefore be responsible for making the break with a powerful strike under the bar following a caviar from Mayulu (3-0, 67th). A tenth double for him in his career looks like a Christmas present, provided that it rings the definitive wake-up call for “Kvaradona”.
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