As Christmas approaches, these two never stop giving each other presents. Passer for Ibrahim Mbaye eight days earlier against Rennes (5-0), Quentin Ndjantou, whom Luis Enrique perceives as “the surprise of the season”, this time took advantage of an offering from his partner to score his very first goal in Ligue 1 on Saturday in Metz (2-3). At the same time, he becomes PSG’s 17th scorer in all competitions this season, a record in the five major European championships.
“I’m very happy. I thank the coach for trusting me, reacted the 18-year-old striker in the mixed zone. I tried to give my best. But I don’t think about the statistics, I think about the team first. Today we won, we showed character by scoring these three goals despite the attacks from Metz. It’s a collective victory. »
A humble speech, like these Titis who do not hide and show match after match that they are capable of being a credible alternative in the absence of more experienced executives like Dembélé, ill this week, Doué, already ready for his return, and even Mayulu who had to give up a few hours before the game due to a virus.
Called up for the CAN, Mbaye’s crazy day
Faced with these imponderables, Luis Enrique does not hesitate to give the elements of the training center a chance. “It’s a particularity of our club, giving confidence to young people who we think have quality,” explained the coach at the Ligue 1 + microphone. They did well today even if the second half was difficult and we lacked the balance to dominate the match. »
“They are young titis who want to show that they can make the difference at any time,” added Lucas Hernandez, captivated by the performance of Ibrahim Mbaye who, thanks to his two assists, logically inherited the man of the match trophy. “IB had a very good match in my opinion, he put the whole Metz team in difficulty. He is still young and sometimes has to stay a little more patient with the ball, recognizes the defender, but he is an extraordinary player, we hope he gives us a lot again this season, because we need him. »
Restrained for a long time, in difficulty in the first months of the season, the new Senegalese international seems to have found the famous trigger he was waiting for to let go more. On the left, where he is more comfortable, he has the ability to make big differences through dribbling and his speed.
“When you give players so many opportunities, it’s because you believe in them. Today he showed a little more than he usually shows, Luis Enrique admitted at a press conference. He was more liberated, felt more comfortable and did good actions, both with and without the ball. I am very happy. » The day was all the more beautiful for the native of Trappes as he learned a little earlier that he was selected to play his first African Cup with the Lions of Téranga.
At 17, Ibrahim Mbaye will join Pape Thiaw’s team just after the Intercontinental Cup against Flamengo on Wednesday evening. “There is still one match for him before his departure to the CAN. And when he returns, we are ready to give him continuity in playing time,” warned Luis Enrique who seems determined to maintain a place of choice for him in the offensive sector despite the returns of Doué or Dembélé.
With them, no need for recruits in the transfer window
The Asturian has undoubtedly just sent the message that he is not expecting any reinforcements this winter. After having qualified Ndjantou as a “real rookie” a fortnight ago, after the success against Tottenham (5-3), he is doing it again by subtly slipping in that he is not lacking in equipment up front.
The Titis did not, and this is quite rare to point out, only shock their partners and the members of PSG on Saturday evening. Despite the disappointment linked to the defeat and the feeling of having come very close to a small exploit, Stéphane Le Mignan readily recognizes that Quentin Ndjantou and Ibrahim Mbaye were two of the major players in the setback conceded by his troops.
“These are players who blend in well with the team because the team is doing well,” the Lorraine coach first analyzed before developing his remarks. “But the young people are getting up to speed, they are disciplined,” he assured. Above all, they have qualities, they are the best young people of their generation in France. So if they manage to play parts of matches and perform well, that doesn’t surprise me. The others (Editor’s note: executives) play a lot of matches, there are sometimes doubts about their motivation. Even if they want to win, it’s not easy, they’re human. But as there are major deadlines quite regularly, the squad rotates and the young people take advantage of it and show all their qualities. We had already seen them in previous matches, notably in the European Cup where they did very good things. The coach gives them confidence and they flourish because the game is stable and their integration is simplified by the team’s performance. What they are doing is remarkable. »
