They hardly missed it. Absent during the first two successful outings of PSG, Kylian Mbappé returns to the group against Montpellier, Saturday August 13 at the Parc des Princes (9 p.m.). The French international is also applying for a starting place, even if he was “a little disturbed in his preparation” according to his new trainer Christophe Galtier.
Without him, the Parisians were a hit with Nantes (4-0 in the Champions Trophy) and Clermont (5-0 for the resumption of Ligue 1). Neymar and Lionel Messi took the opportunity to shine. Their association has reached a level of complicity rarely seen last year. So how will Mbappé be added to this promising offensive animation?
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“There is no difficulty integrating Kylian Mbappé into a team”, swept away his trainer at a press conference. He was numerically deputized by Pablo Sarabia during his absence. The Spaniard, back from loan at Sporting and never afraid of the prospect of the bench, should naturally come out of the eleven. His status as “first sacrificed” does not surprise many people, as it seems foolish to deprive yourself of Neymar, Messi or Mbappé.
After this observation, Galtier must find the appropriate formula to obtain the full measure of the trio. “I have no worries about their agreement, they know each other well”, reassured the coach. In the Parisian 3-5-2, Lionel Messi shines as a distant playmaker, behind the attacking duo. During his first season in Paris, the “Pulga” (the “chip”) was mainly confined to a more eccentric role in Mauricio Pochettino’s 4-3-3.
This scheme corresponds better to the qualities of a slower player with the weight of the years but with an intact vision of the game, as he demonstrated in Clermont. In front of the Argentinian, Mbappé composes the duo-type of attack with Neymar. Strolled on all positions of the attack since his arrival in Paris, he has never been as effective as when he was at the forefront. He also started in this configuration in Monaco and thrives in this role with the Blues.
The free electron Neymar brought to play further back, Mbappé will act as a real point. His heading game will be an asset, while the system gives Hakimi and Nuno Mendes more freedom to cross. The trio is attractive on paper, but it will need some alternatives to survive the marathon of a season shaken up by the World Cup in Qatar (November 20-December 18).
Hugo Ekitike was certainly loaned with option to buy by Reims, but Arnaud Kalimuendo left for Rennes. “We want another striker to arrive”, assured Christophe Galtier Thursday. As it stands, only Sarabia and Ekitike are part of the attacking rotation. Julian Draxler and Mauro Icardi are indeed part of the famous “loft” and are excluded from the group, pending a possible transfer.