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I play, I have confidence, I score, I chain, "smiled Hugo Ekitike at the beginning of the year after three goals in a row, plus another just before the World Cup. Words that have not aged very well... "Nothing more to say, I must continue like this," he added, he that Kylian Mbappé quickly took under his wing on the banks of the Seine. Except it hadn't really continued like that... Since these rowdy statements and... Symbolic of a state of mind that may have irritated, the native of Reims has no longer found the way to the net. Nothing at all. In fact, he rarely impressed on his short and rare outings on the meadow. Tasteless at best, annoying at worst. Not to mention his outings not always well felt on social networks ... So of course the rumors of departure did not take long to flourish, while the PSG still has to settle its option to buy (36 million €).
To discover
- Ligue 1 schedule and results
- Ligue 1 standings
Nevertheless, between mediocre statistics (4 goals and 4 assists in 30 games), a behavior that leaves something to be desired and overall average performances, with a big tendency to complicate life and take for another, the number 44 looks like a flop. At one time, we no longer saw any reason to imagine seeing him play regularly at the end of the season, despite the forfeit of Neymar Jr and the lack of alternative behind Kylian Mbappé and Leo Messi. "There is no problem between Hugo and me. Obviously, he is not happy with this situation but he works a lot in training, "said Galtier in mid-April, while the unofficial lookalike of the future NBAer Victor Wembanyama had just spent three games without taking off from the bench and before an unnecessary entry during the rout against Lorient (1-3).
Never two without three against Auxerre
And then there was the suspension of Leo Messi, which allowed him to find a place in Troyes (1-3). Not brilliant, but "he was very useful on a collective level and his positioning, very technically accurate, he made a lot of effort and worked for the team," as Galtier had indicated. He added: "He had this opportunity. He understood it very well." The premature return of the "Pulga" did not, however, send him back to the bench. Exit the 3-5-2, return of the 3-4-3. Ekitike followed up against Ajaccio (5-0). Again, not brilliant, but the interested party, author of an assist, "allowed to free Leo and fix the defense of Ajaccio, which gave a lot of space and freedom for Kylian". Never two without three this Sunday (21h), during the 36th matchday of Ligue 1, in Auxerre? "It is very likely that he starts," says the Parisian coach, referring to tactical considerations ("It's good to have a second real striker in the game to free Leo"), but not only. "Above all, it is Hugo's work that makes him start the last two games," he promises.
" READ ALSO PSG : UNFP trophies, advice to Donnarumma, mercato... Galtier's words ahead of a potentially decisive title match at Auxerre
A job that has sometimes left something to be desired, even if Christophe Galtier found mitigating circumstances to the young (20-year-old) French striker, author of 11 goals in 26 matches in 2021-22, with the SDR. "He arrived late, he took time. Could I have integrated it before? I think I integrated him when he showed me in the sessions that he was there. He had a stroke of less good at one point on a mental level. It was difficult for him. By working, by watching what he was doing in the sessions and by working associations, that's it. I'm satisfied with what he's doing," says the 56-year-old technician, who has multiplied the patterns throughout the season, from the initial 3-4-3 to the flat or diamond-shaped 4-4-2, including the 3-5-2. All while Christophe Galtier has often had to do without his supposedly magical trio, the "MNM". "Unfortunately, with the World Cup and injuries, we haven't been able to enjoy it throughout the season. The regret is not to have had this attacking trio in the decisive matches, "he slips.
Hugo Ekitike started for the second time in a row against Ajaccio (5-0). ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
I told him I had some responsibility, but so did he.
Christophe Galtier, on Hugo Ekitike's low playing time
A trio that left only the crumbs to the others, especially in Ekitike, at the beginning of the season. Barded with an "absolute confidence in (him)", the Parisian striker has a good figure. His non-participation in the match in Reims marked a turning point. "He had taken a blow to morale," Galtier admitted at the time, he who has not always been a fan of cajoling Ekitike, quite the contrary. "I told him that I had a share of responsibility but he too," had hit "Galette" about a "talented player who must compensate for his lack of playing time in competition in training", which has not always been the case, it is clear. "He had dropped at that time and it can be understood," said Galtier in recent months, referring to a boy "very mature and structured" after a text explanation between four eyes. The weeks that followed showed that the building was fragile, while Ekitike promised mountains and wonders. "I said that when I scored, there would be goals galore. You'll see for the second half of the season," he joked. We didn't see anything. Change is now?
" READ ALSO "An interesting player": Galtier responds to the rumor Bernardo Silva at PSG
In any case, Hugo Ekitike must not miss the opportunity to show that he has his place at Paris Saint-Germain. Probably not in the shoes of a holder, while the club of the capital is already ready to spend big next summer in the offensive sector given the caliber of the tracks mentioned (Osimhen, Kane, Bernardo, Kolo Muani ...). He still has three games left to score goals... and points in the eyes of its leaders and in particular Luis Campos. We would talk about Galtier, but his future should not be written in Paris. Three games to erase a season in the form of failure? We must not dream, but it can give a little hope... Or not. The latest echoes suggest in any case that Ekitike wants to stay and impose himself at Paris Saint-Germain, like Foot Mercato.
Paris aims for the title and Auxerre, the maintenance
In the meantime, PSG are not playing for butter in this turbulent end of the season behind the scenes and delicate on the field, even if the successes in Troyes and against Ajaccio have lowered the level of pressure. There is indeed a title to be sought. It may be for this Sunday, at Auxerre, a team that remains on seven matches without defeat at home and that plays its skin in Ligue 1. "A team will fight for the maintenance and us, for the title," summarizes Galtier, noting "a big general remobilization" after Lorient. "As I often say to my players, we must not count on those who are behind, especially Lens, who will not drop many points between now and the end of the championship in my opinion... It's up to us to do the job, to be efficient, "says the native of Marseille. This applies to everyone, including Hugo Ekitike, who is back at the heart of the game and who must now raise his level after two applied but insufficient outings. Until now, he had the excuse of lack of rhythm. An excuse that won't protect him forever, it's very clear...
This time, the Ultras will push PSG
All is well that ends well? In any case, the Collectif Ultras Paris, which for a time put its activities on hold, has renewed dialogue with PSG. So much so that the most fervent Parisian supporters will be at the rendezvous this Sunday, in Auxerre. They will also support the girls at the Parc des Princes, for the D1 clash against Lyon. "A crucial match for our two teams so general mobilization," summarizes the CUP, which had estimated, a few days earlier, that the "progress" in discussions with the club opened the way to a reconciliation. And this so that "PSG lovers can rejoice in the historic title that is looming". It may be for this Sunday, or next weekend, in Strasbourg. PSG will then host Clermont on June 3 on the final day. The party at home?
