"
It was not our best evening,
" agreed Mauricio Pochettino on Saturday after the draw for PSG in Lens (1-1).
Barely.
Except that this evening is in line with previous ones ... As too often, the capital club lacked control, efficiency and solidity against Lensois "
aggressive and who made a very good match
".
“
We lacked a bit of precision, and freshness, due to our busy schedule.
Lens also cut our communication channels well
, ”explained the Argentine coach.
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And as so often, the light came from Kylian Mbappé, decisive passer on Georginio Wijnaldum's equalizing goal in stoppage time. The person concerned is now directly involved in 22 of the 45 Parisian goals in 2021-22.
Almost one in two goals.
Above all, the former Monegasque, thanks to his technical qualities, his skill, his ability to take depth, allows this PSG in the works to hide his shortcomings by saving him time, again and again.
A PSG who has character and never lets go, we can grant him that.
"
It is positive that the team continued to fight
", noted Pochettino, Saturday evening, to Bollaert, stressing that "
Lens is one of the teams which put the most in difficulty
" Paris.
PSG already qualified in the 8th, but ...
But this is not the only one, far from it ... Whether in Ligue 1 or in the Champions League. The Red and Blue had notably taken the broth at the Etihad Stadium, against Manchester City (2-1 defeat). A setback which implies that the reception of Bruges on Tuesday (6:45 p.m.), on the sixth and last day, is not at stake for PSG, already qualified for the round of 16 but condemned to finish second behind the Cityzens in this group A It may be necessary to face a "big" as early as February, with Bayern Munich and Liverpool among the potential candidates. Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea maybe too. Verdict on December 13, during the draw. “
Finishing second is not a disappointment. Many clubs that finished second managed to win the C1
", Notes the Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, recalling that"
the objective is to go to the end
".
One thing is certain: Paris Saint-Germain had better raise their tone by then, if a cador got out of the hat and stood on their way to enter the second phase.
Collectively, Paris worries.
Certainly, the club vice-champion of Europe 2020 can boast of having won the honorary title of autumn champion in L1, with a tenth consecutive ticket for the 8th of C1.
But for the rest, there is work, it is nothing to say it ... Especially when we see the three stars of the "MNM" lose interest in defensive aspects, as in England, two weeks ago.
"
In City, it's not that we didn't have the will to get back on track.
We were in a configuration where we were harassed in our camp and we played three shots because we did not have control.
We had 70 meters to go on the blocks… Under these conditions, we will certainly not be there in defense.
But we are aware that we must do more,
"said Mbappé, Sunday, on
Amazon Prime Video
, believing that the trio should not be"
detached from the collective, defensively or offensively.
We have to find something together, we have to put our own money into it.
"
“Whenever I thought I could do everything on my own, we didn't win. "
Kylian Mbappé
In the meantime, Mauricio Pochettino can count on Kylian Mbappé to get Paris Saint-Germain out of a lot of trouble. Especially in the absence of Neymar, out for several weeks, and while Lionel Messi is struggling to find the right fuel. Sometimes even caricature, Paris giving a feeling of helplessness without its number 7 on the ground. Especially since Mbappé is not just a licensed scorer. Bondy's crack has shaken the net nine times this season, with 13 bonus assists. The best passer in the championship is him. Handyman. "
When you want to be a special player, why choose when you can do both
", underlines the ex-Monegasque, noting "
that each time (that he has) thought to be able to do everything alone, we do not
did not win. "
To see him save Paris so regularly, to see his weight in the game, one could easily conclude that the boss is him.
“
It's difficult because when you play in a team with Neymar and Messi, it's daring to call yourself boss.
Today, I am in a great period.
The team is running well, I can help it as much as possible.
Saying who is the boss, who cares a little ... The goal is to put the three in the best conditions because there are three "game changers", players who can change the game
", corrects he, modest.
Without stake, not without interest
This Tuesday, it may not be the best time to judge possible collective progress at PSG, with this match without pressure against Bruges and undoubtedly a lot of turnover. Without pressure or stake, not without interest, as the vice-champions of France are constantly scrutinized. A new setback would not strengthen the credit of Pochettino, already disputed. “
I can feel the support from the players and the club. We are in a process,
”notes the former Tottenham coach. And to add: "
We are on the right track
". Note that the champions of Belgium, who had led the hard life in Paris in the first leg (1-1), will play their place in the Europa League in a distant duel with Leipzig, which will host Manchester City at the same time.
Read alsoChampions League: where to follow PSG-Bruges and five questions around the match
In any case, Kylian Mbappé will not always be able to do everything.
At least if the club of the capital wants to continue to dream bigger and lift the Cup with big ears in May, on the side of St. Petersburg.
Impossible when you have to cross swords with collective machines like Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool or Bayern Munich.
Moreover, Mbappé will not wear the colors of Paris Saint-Germain forever.
“Whatever happens, I will play for a big club next season. "
Kylian Mbappé
Last summer, he wanted to fold the saplings and take the direction of Real Madrid. In view of the Parisian slump, can we blame him? Next June, he will be free from any commitment. “
You have to take the time. It is not an easy decision. Whatever happens, I will play for a big club,
”he slips. It remains to be seen which one. If the Casa Blanca won the bet, Paris would lose more than a great striker, its savior, its providential man. A player Mauricio Pochettino tries to protect as best he can, he who left him on the bench in Lens on Saturday, only throwing him in the 70th minute. “
He played a lot of matches in a row and felt a bit tired. He had to let it breathe
», Explained the Argentinian, who could quickly run out of air if the exploits of his number 7 were to become scarce ...
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