Once again we had revised our superlatives and brought out our dictionary of praise.
Everything was ready for a new show.
A Champions League semi-final, a player in Olympic form and a super positive collective dynamic.
But we had to face the facts and agree that, this time, Kylian Mbappé did not deserve that we sing his successes.
Isolated at the forefront of the Parisian attack, tightened by John Stones and Rúben Dias, the Parisian top scorer of the season (37 goals) missed his semi-final first leg against Manchester City (1-2).
It is rare and all the more surprising that since the beginning of these final stages of the C1, the world champion has been decisive almost in each of his outings.
The former Monegasque had also started this meeting well with an intelligent and well-balanced shift for Neymar from the second minute of play. This foreshadowed a new recital.
Unfortunately, the rest of his match was not the same.
Before the meeting, the Parisian number 7 had yet cast a knowing look at his bench as to mean that once again, everything was going to be fine for him and for PSG.
But, unable to find favorable positions and move on, he was often forced to play backwards to find Florenzi or Bakker.
Worse, Mbappé usually so quick to erase his opponents, has sinned in elimination.
He could never speak to the stars
Unable to puncture the English safe, we then saw the French come and get the keys from his coach, on the edge of the sidelines, in the 42nd minute of play. Time to get back in the saddle, Bondy's crack almost involuntarily found himself at the origin of the equalizer of the Citizens after a ball intercepted in his feet.
It must be said that Paredes' pass was not a model of its kind.
Fortunately, Navas was watching, at least at this point in the game.
Mbappé still sent a thrill through a Parc des Princes deserted by the spectators and the soundtracks supposed to replace them. On a deep ball, the Parisian striker finally managed to give Dias company an almost perfect ball to Verratti after the break. Only a few millimeters were missing. Despite this flash, the man with the soles of wind never flew over the debates and certainly delivered the palest of his copies in this competition, evidenced by this part ended with no strike on his account. We must give thanks to the Stones - Dias duo for having succeeded where big names like Pique, Alaba or Boateng have failed in previous rounds.
The two Manchester centers have perfectly adapted their game. Aggressive, as it should be in this type of meeting, they never left the young prodigy the few meters behind their back that he loves so much. Those which allow him to enchant Europe on each of his outings. Weaned from space for a match, Kylian Mbappé has never been able to touch the stars. He just took the opportunity to be reprimanded by the referee at the end of the match for an untimely challenge. Sad evening.
