Kylian Mbappé and Neymar absent, Lionel Messi as expected leader of the Paris attack

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Succeeding the final bouquet without its favorite pyrotechnician, that’s the challenge for Paris Saint-Germain, Wednesday December 22 in Lorient. The capital club will indeed be deprived of its top scorer Kylian Mbappé, suspended for this last Ligue 1 meeting before the winter break. But it is also the occasion for the Parisians to show that the collective of the team is progressing.

“We saw that he was one of the five best players in the world“, recognized Jean Antunès, the co-trainer of the amateurs of the Entente Feignies-Aulnoye (5th division), beaten Sunday in the Coupe de France (0-3) by PSG and Kylian Mbappé, author of a double. for the team, the player who has just celebrated his 23 years has gone on early vacation, due to a suspension for accumulation of yellow cards which deprives him of the match in Brittany.

For Mauricio Pochettino, that makes two indisputable holders to replace at the Moustoir stadium, since midfielder Marco Verratti must serve the same sanction.

“Mbappé is a very important player“, admitted Mauricio Pochettino, who could review his whole offensive pattern in the absence of his number 7. The versatility of Kylian Mbappé, able to evolve as well in the axis, his preferred position, as on the left wing, simplified the work of the Argentinian coach, which does not have a similar profile to replace it. During the only meeting that the striker missed in Ligue 1, due to illness, against Lille (2-1 victory) on October 29, Lionel Messi played at the forefront, supported by Neymar on the left and Angel Di Maria on the right

This solution could have worked in Lorient … except that the Brazilian is now injured. His absence therefore deprives the Argentine coach of a striking profile which could then lead him to position Lionel Messi on the wing and therefore to start Mauro Icardi. This last has certainly put an end against Feignies-Aulnoye, on penalty, to a scarcity of three months without a goal, but his image remains scratched after a black streak in the fall, between public marital crisis on social networks, injuries and lack of efficiency , which relegated him to the bench. This situation fueled rumors around a departure this winter, the Italian press having mentioned the interest of Serie A clubs.

“He waits for an opportunity to play, like all players who have little playing time. But he works to be ready to seize it. “, said Pochettino, who hopes to see his compatriot regain all his brilliance at the time of the Christmas lights.

The tenure of Mauro Icardi would therefore Lionel Messi to evolve on a side. UA role that is less suited to the qualities of the organizer of the game of the seven-fold Ballon d’Or, even if he masters it. ATA single goal in ten league games, the Argentine suffers from the tactical adjustments of Pochettino, who has never this season lined up the same eleven twice in a row, due to numerous absences in his workforce.

“Messi is indisputable for me. If you start to discuss Messi, it’s because you didn’t understand anything about football“, defended it Sunday the sporting director of PSG Leonardo, at the microphone of Europe 1.”If you look at Messi’s numbers, his first six months are incredible. He and Mbappé have participated in almost all of the club’s goals. With him, it is sure that we are more competitive“, continued the leader.

Lionel Messi, left to rest Sunday in the Coupe de France, will for the first time evolve without his two other acolytes of the “MNM”. He still keeps two long-time acquaintances by his side: his compatriots Di Maria and Icardi who, like him, have had a mixed start to the season.


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