When Kylian Mbappé made, on Saturday, at the 26th minute of the match against Dijon (4-0), a "comma" with small bridge on Tavarés before continuing with another small bridge from the outside of the foot on Alphonse, the Parc uttered a double cry of admiration and roared with pleasure as in the finest era of Ronaldinho's arabesques. No matter that a third Dijonnais ended up deflecting the ball for a corner, the popularity rating of the Parisian striker had just climbed a little higher. His pass as acrobatic as sublime from the outside of the foot for Cavani (60th) and his fifth double of the season in the league have finished giving an exceptional character to his performance.
At the final whistle, he gave a hug to Thomas Tuchel who came to congratulate him, before returning to the locker room while his partners went to greet the supporters. At the heart of this period marked by the defeat in the first leg against Dortmund (2-1), in the knockout stages of the Champions League, it would be tempting to speak of a pivotal match for Mbappé. "For me, this match is more of a revolt on his part, analyzes Patrick Mboma, 49, the former Cameroonian striker of PSG. Because, lately, his performance has been questionable. He has also certainly read and heard unpleasant things, particularly fan banners. I guess he must have thought it was a game to end it all. "
"Mbappé has no glass ceiling"
Beyond his successful technical gestures, Mbappé also struck the spirits with his attitude as the boss of the Parisian game, especially in the absence of suspended Neymar. "He made a statement at the end of last season which showed that he wanted that ( Editor's note: more responsibilities ), still deciphers Mboma. And there he shows that he assimilates well what is expected of him. In fact, I think that before he said to himself: I am efficient, you have to give me responsibilities . When in reality it is when you are performing that responsibilities come naturally. He did not need this statement. Today, he is expressing by gesture what he expressed by voice a few months ago. "
One thing is certain, this peak of form occurs at the best time for Paris. Less obviously for trips to Lyon this Wednesday, in the semi-finals of the Coupe de France and to Strasbourg, Saturday, than in the perspective of the return match against Dortmund on March 11. "Because it is a match where we will have to score goals and many goals because Dortmund risks scoring one or two, warns Mboma. So you have to be really conquering, scare the opponent. "A role where Mbappé excels, provided however to be more effective than against Dijon" where he notably missed an opportunity of the head "as Mboma notes.
In the meantime, Mbappé, who in Mboma's eyes "has no glass ceiling and can win several Ballon d'or as long as he is regular", must stay on course. "We know very well that he will not be ten years at PSG," concludes the former Cameroonian striker. It is this year that he must take responsibility. With Neymar. Both have the ability to give PSG what it dreams of: a Champions League. Let them do it! "