Mbappé, Marquinhos and Donnarumma as usual, Di Maria and Icardi inaccurate… Les Tops et Flops after PSG-Brest (2-0) this Saturday in Paris.
No worries for PSG. If Gianluigi Donnarumma worked miracles at the start of the game, the Parisians logically disposed of Brest (2-0) this Saturday, at the Parc des Princes, during the 21st day of Ligue 1. Kylian Mbappé and Thilo Kehrer for the scorers of ‘a Paris-SG more than ever leader in the standings.
TOPS
Mbappé, of course
Admittedly, the 23-year-old world champion sometimes lacked lucidity in this meeting, especially after his clash with Hugo Magnetti in the first period and a huge outburst of anger with the referees. But Kylian Mbappé was once again the detonator of the Parisian attack. Everything goes through him. And it was obviously he who unblocked the situation, with a strike at the first post of which he has the secret (32nd). His 16th goal in all competitions, the ninth in Ligue 1. And the 151st in total for Paris. It is essential, it is not new.
When it’s not Navas, it’s Donnarumma
Finally, Gianluigi Donnarumma did not have much to do this Saturday. The visitors only framed 3 shots in the direction of his cage. But without him, Brest would have opened the scoring in the 9th minute of play. On an error from Presnel Kimpembe, the Italian goalkeeper found himself on his own against Ivan Cardona. Duel won with confidence. He slammed the ball well on the next corner (10th), he who even sometimes allowed himself to take risks at the foot. For those who doubted it, Paris Saint-Germain has two great goalkeepers. When Keylor Navas (covid) is not there, it’s Donnarumma who doesn’t stick to it. Note that his vis-à-vis Marco Bizot avoided Brest being corrected in the second half.
Marquinhos, as usual
Let’s not waste time repeating what we have said in every game: Marquinhos could be in the Tops after almost every one of his outings. It was still the case on Saturday evening, imperial as it was. Relaunch, duels, athletic impact, heading, positioning, composure… The total. The 27-year-old Brazilian international will soon be extended for two seasons, until 2026. It is a CDI that should be offered to him. Note that “Marqui” was playing his 345th match with PSG there, allowing him to come back up to Safet Susic in fourth place in the ranking of the most capped players in the history of the club. Third in this hierarchy, Marco Verratti (362) also had a full game. The “little Owl” could even have scored. You read correctly. He hit the post after a nice exchange with Angel Di Maria.
FLOPS
Envy, but what waste for Di Maria
We can not blame his lack of desire, too little excess of energy. But Angel Di Maria, back in business after going through the Covid-19 box, sinned for lack of precision in his businesses. His passes are always inspired, dangerous in idea, but not executed well enough during this victory against Stade Brestois.
Icardi, always ghostly
Mauro Icardi has changed his hair color, but that’s it. We have found the Mauro Icardi of recent months, frustrating, discreet, ghostly when he does not have the chance to hang out in the right place at the right time and push the ball into the back of the net. A bit like defender Thilo Kehrer did, putting the flat foot to score a center-forward goal (53rd). And even when he was in a position to make the difference, Marco Bizot did wonders, like in the 75th. The Argentinian spent his time running in the void and also sinned for lack of precision when he was in a position to make the difference and serve one of his little comrades. If he was lacking in confidence, this match will not reassure him…
Brest’s regrets
Finally, there was no photo this Saturday, in the coldness of a Parc des Princes which sounded hollow, Covid-19 obliges. Like this duel won by Nuno Mendes against Ronaël Pierre-Gabriel on the goal of Thilo Kehrer (52nd), his second in two matches, there was a class gap between the two teams. However, this is not the impression we had at the end of the first half hour, with enterprising Bretons who projected themselves quickly forward when recovering the ball. Still, it would have been necessary to be more skilful in front of goal and inspired in the last gesture, like Irvin Cardona, still preferred to Steve Mounié to accompany Jérémy Le Douaron in attack. Afterwards, Michel Der Zakarian’s men suffered more. The train had passed. Too late…
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