The mission that awaits Leipzig in Lisbon, namely to break through the safe of Atlético Madrid (Thursday, 9 p.m., RMC Sport) without its number 1 striker, Timo Werner, who left for Chelsea, promises to be complicated to say the least. Nevertheless, the coach of the German club, Julian Nagelsmann, knows that he can count on three young French talents - all between the ages of 21 and 22 - to achieve this. And again, they could have been four without Ibrahima Konaté's injury which deprives him of the Lisbon high mass. Review in detail of these Musketeers of modern times.
Dayot Upamecano, the discreet leader
At 21, the native of Evreux is probably the most advanced of the four. 27 times starting last season with Leipzig, Upamecano has won in central defense, to the point of today appearing essential in the eyes of his coach. And to have also extended his contract until June 2023, just to push back the inclinations of many clubs to recruit him this summer. Real satisfaction for the player trained in Valenciennes: “I never doubted that I would stay. Conversations dragged on a bit because of the coronavirus, and of course I wanted to discuss it quietly with my family and my advisor. But it has always been clear to me that I will stay here. RB Leipzig is my club, I can make good progress here. The club has become like family to me. I am happy to continue to be a part of it and to continue to write its story. ”
A statement that reflects the image of this discreet, hardworking and extremely serious player. A young man, too, who had to overcome a few trials, such as the death of his little sister a few hours before the U17 semi-final in which he finally took part, despite the pain, the immense sorrow. Or his dyslexia which penalized him for a long time academically. But that also shaped his character and made him focus on one goal more than the others. Moreover, it is undoubtedly where he draws his greatest strength, with this ability to listen, to learn and to progress. The risk of seeing him grab the big head seems very remote. After Valenciennes, Upamecano studied in Salzburg for a year and a half, before landing in Leipzig in January 2017. And there, from his first tenure against Hamburg, Upamecano, in difficulty, was replaced after half an hour of play. Some would not have recovered. He understood, digested to come back even stronger. And today, he is preparing to challenge Atlético Madrid with ambition and humility.
Nordi Mukiele, a future in Paris?
The perfect profile for Leonardo. Versatile defender, able to both evolve on the right flank or in the axis, as he does mainly in the defense of three of Leipzig, Nordi Mukiele caught the eye of the Brazilian, who would strongly like to bring him to Paris SG. The only problem, since his arrival in Germany, Mukiele feels good, fulfilled, confident. His contract, which runs until June 2023, is also not likely to facilitate the task of Parisian recruiters even if the player, born in Montreuil, is not necessarily insensitive to the interests of PSG. Even if he was trained in Laval, before revealing himself in Ligue 1 on the side of Montpellier where he was established 31 times during the 2017-2018 season.
He then seemed to have to stay there for a while but Leipzig, feeling his potential, seduced the leaders of La Paillade with an offer of 16 million euros which could not decently be refused. During his first season in the Bundesliga, Mukiele takes the time to learn, while chomping at the bit (only 14 starts and a German Cup final lived - and lost - on the bench). Before winning during the exercise which ended a month ago. 25 games played, 21 starts, 3 goals scored, Mukiele took his ease alongside Upamecano to allow Leipzig to have the second most impermeable defense in the Bundesliga (37 goals conceded, behind the 32 taken by Bayern Munich) . Now it's up to him to confirm in the Champions League.
Christopher Nkunku, the revenge
Last summer, Christopher Nkunku had to make a difficult choice: stay at Paris SG and try to win, or leave to gain more playing time. At 22, he did not see himself leaving for a season to play ends of the match, even if it was the relay of stars such as Neymar or Kylian Mbappé. And even if he had the feeling that he could succeed, as he confided this week to our colleagues from France Football : “I am convinced that I could have imposed myself, have more playing time. however, do not feel any regrets because I gave everything. Unfortunately, that didn't happen and I don't want to gamble over the reasons. I knew before the last year that I had to leave (…) Even if there is no feeling of failure on my part, I still find it a shame because I felt capable of playing a real role. I even dreamed of one day being PSG captain. Never mind."
Instead, Nkunku could try, in a possible semi-final against PSG, to play a nasty trick on his former club, who did not believe in him enough. And who needed cash as part of financial fair play. Suddenly, when Leipzig knocked on the door with a check for 13 million euros, it was wide open. Since then, this very versatile attacking midfielder has alternated between brilliant and less good, with 21 starts (plus 11 starts) and 5 goals scored. For a place in the starting XI against Atlético Madrid, he should be in competition with the duo Dani Olmo-Emil Forsberg, knowing that the second named seems a priori the most "dethronable" of his status. And then, in the event of victory, it will then be time for this pure product of PSG which, like so many others has failed to impose itself, to take revenge and prove to Qatari leaders that they made a mistake in letting him go.
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