“It’s going well in the locker room. We may not kiss each other every day, but it’s going very well.” Annoyed at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Christophe Galtier saw his players confirm his words against Olympique de Marseille (1-0), Sunday October 16, during the eleventh day of Ligue 1.
At the origin of the latest turmoil in the capital club by his supposed desire to leave the ship, Kylian Mbappé continues to be the most scrutinized Parisian player, five days after his particular evening at the Parc des Princes against Benfica. Against OM, his performance and especially his complicity with Neymar and Lionel Messi did not disappoint.
On Sunday, his clever pass for Neymar just before half-time (45th + 2) offered victory to Paris Saint-Germain. A goal celebrated by an embrace between the two friends, quickly joined by Lionel Messi. It was also the world champion’s first assist, in club or selection, since May 14, 2022 (37th day of Ligue 1 against Montpellier, 4-0). And this when he could have struck.
Kylian Mbappé delivered his first decisive pass in club and selection since May 14, 2022 with Paris against Montpellier. @PSSportsFR #PSGOM
– Stats Foot (@Statsdufoot) October 16, 2022
Beyond the statistics, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar have shown a desire to play, to combine together, without each pulling the cover towards themselves. We have seen the Bondynois search for “Ney” several times, even when the game did not require it. The converse was also verified.
The image of the Frenchman forgetting the Brazilian, alone in front of goal against Juventus at the start of the Champions League on September 6, seemed far away. Just like the “penaltygate” against Montpellier, where the two players had fought over the ball. “We always had moments like that, moments a little colder, others warmer”admitted the tricolor international, at the beginning of September, at the mention of his attacking partner.
Their proposed performance against OM was proof of a warming of their relationship. Neymar’s encouragement when Kylian Mbappé was about to take his penalty against Benfica (1-1) on Tuesday was the first stone of this patching up.
“Nothing happens (with Mbappé), we simply try to find the best possible associations, commented Christophe Galtier on Prime Video, after the Parisian success in the Classic. Of course I heard Kylian… not his discomfort but the fact of really being in his preferential zone. That’s also why we looked for a different system, but believe me, everything is going well in the locker room.”
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By switching from a 3-4-3 tactical system to a 4-3-3 formation for the first time this season, the PSG coach made a gesture towards Kylian Mbappé. “It was not related to the absences (from Kimpembe and Ramos, Editor’s note). The will isto put our offensive players in the best areas, I have three players of an incredible levelcontinued Galtier. By putting three midfielders, it allowed me both to get out of the ball and to put the three in their preferential zones.
“As in the other system, I respected the coach’s instructions, I did everything he asked of me, as I think all the players, underlined Kylian Mbappé in the mixed zone. On arrival, we managed to win this match, we are very happy.” The ex-Monegasque was very active and found a lot in this new device. He only lacked efficiency (only two shots on target out of seven) to validate a successful evening in every respect.
In the corridors of the Parc des Princes, he even spoke for the first time since the rumors said about the departure. “I am very happy, I never asked to leave in Januaryhe said in the mixed zone. Just to say it’s completely wrong and I’m very happy.”
His smile and his complicity on the pitch with Neymar, and to a lesser degree with Lionel Messi, went hand in hand with his words. The positive is indeed back at Paris Saint-Germain, where we are talking about football again.