A match to prepare AC Milan. After two weeks of international break, PSG returned to the Parc des Princes and Ligue 1 against Strasbourg with the firm objective of making a convincing impression before a very important meeting in the Champions League. Luis Enrique made no mistake in organizing a sort of 3-4-3. He rotated his squad slightly with the entries into the starting lineup of Danilo in a three-way defense, Ruiz in the midfield, Soler in the right piston, Lee in a hybrid position between the midfield and an attack led by Mbappé with Barcola and Ramos at his side.
This formulation quickly proved effective against a weak Strasbourg team, which felt the crisis of results looming after rather satisfactory first matches. From the first acceleration on the side between Barcola and Mbappé, Nyamsi allowed himself to be surprised in the area by Ramos coming from behind him. PSG didn’t ask for that much. Neither did Mbappé who opened the scoring from the penalty spot (1-0, 10th), scoring his first goal in Ligue 1 since September 15. The Parisian collective undoubtedly relaxed on the following corner, conceding the equalizer from Mothiba, finally signaled in an offside position (12th).
Mbappé scorer but a little affected
A free warning for Parisians, who were almost never worried again during this meeting. The combinations followed one another, without always the same conviction, nor the same technical accuracy, like Barcola being a little short on this pass from Soler (17th). Once again, the light came from Mbappé. On the left, he got rid of the stationary Perrin and offered a perfect cross for Soler, scorer of his very first goal this season (2-0, 31st). A break in advance and control of the elements of the match, PSG could not hope for better, while resting quite a few of its usual starters (Ugarte, Hakimi, Dembélé).
There were still some scares for Mbappé. The latter missed two good situations, first before the break (42nd) and a lost face to face against Sels (53rd). It was especially his physique which took a few hits in the second half (54th, 65th). More fear than harm probably since number 7 remained on the pitch. Despite the entries of the substitutes, including those of Cher Ndour, who was barely used, and Layvin Kurzawa more than two years after his last appearance and ridiculed by the public, it was Soler who offered a beautiful goal ball to a Fabian Ruiz in finisher (3-0, 77th). The evening is perfect for Luis Enrique’s PSG, which temporarily takes the lead in Ligue 1.
