Given the standoff last summer between the club and its superstar, the soap opera could prove dangerous at the start of 2024. But minds seemed prepared for a departure next summer after seven seasons at Kylian Mbappé's PSG, because the leak to the press on March 15 of his decision did not generate controversy.
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This can in particular be explained by the results, since it is also on a sporting level that PSG has reassured itself.
The autumn and start of winter had been complicated, when we had to jostle together in Ligue 1 and especially in a tough Champions League group.
From now on, the team has made a hole in the championship (13 points ahead of the runner-up Brest), has not lost since the match against AC Milan (2-1) on November 7 and, inheriting a affordable draw for its round of 16 in the supreme European competition, took a big step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals.
After suffering in the first half, PSG dominated Real Sociedad in the second (2-0), in order to provide themselves with a mattress before the return match on March 5 in San Sebastian.
Read alsoLigue 1: Marquinhos injured and forfeited with PSG against Rennes
“Fight”
against a lack of motivation
Coach Luis Enrique was visibly listened to by his troops when he called for calm on February 11 to defuse the club's usual nervousness in the run-up to the competition which has always eluded him.
“It's been two weeks that we've only been talking about the Champions League on television!
Calm down, relax!
The team is going to be perfect, they are prepared, we are going to take advantage of it
,” he asked.
To hear him say, from now on, it is rather the lack of motivation which threatens his troops, largely leaders of the championship:
“We have had to fight against it for several weeks, it could be a handicap that we must control.
If we had a closer opponent, the players would perhaps prepare more spontaneously
,” explained Luis Enrique on Saturday.
“We are happy that there is a large distance (13 points, Editor's note) between the second, Brest, and us
,” indicated the coach, questioned on this subject at a press conference at the PSG Campus in Poissy (Yvelines).
“If we had a closer opponent, the players would perhaps prepare more spontaneously
,” admitted Luis Enrique.
“It’s going to be a test, I love these kinds of matches [...], they are difficult opponents so ideal for preparing for the Champions League”
Luis Enrique before facing Stade Rennais and AS Monaco
This is good, to prepare for the match on March 5, PSG will face two strong teams in Ligue 1, Rennes on Sunday then Monaco next Friday.
Rennes in particular are euphoric with six wins in a row in the league, moving up to 7th place.
The influence of Julien Stephan, who arrived in November, is clearly felt.
And with a prestigious success Thursday at Roazhon Park against AC Milan (3-2), an opponent that PSG also met in the Champions League, the Rennais arrive at the Parc des Princes with certainties.
Particularly in midfield where Martin Terrier and Benjamin Bourigeaud are in great shape.
Continuing in Monaco on Friday is ideal from the point of view of the Parisians for good preparation for the intensity of the Champions League, confides Luis Enrique:
“It's going to be a test, I love this kind of matches, as well as that of Monaco, they are difficult opponents and therefore ideal for preparing for the Champions League
.
PSG also had the satisfaction of seeing its Coupe de France quarter-final against Nice, scheduled for next week, be postponed to March 13 at the request of broadcaster France Télévisions.
Mbappé's state of mind
"has not changed"
, according to Luis Enrique
“I don’t see any difference for any of my players. What's coming in the immediate future is a very important match for us tomorrow. We want to continue to show that we are efficient against any opponent and in all competitions. Being a PSG player doesn’t allow you to relax
,” also said the Spanish tactician from Paris Saint-Germain.
It remains to be seen whether Kylian Mbappé will be on the bench again or started against the Breton club.
After Rennes then Monaco next Friday in the league, PSG will travel to San Sebastian on March 5 to face Real Sociedad in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 match.