After easily dismissing US Revel in the previous round in the south-west of France, Paris Saint-Germain had a shorter trip for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France since they faced US Orléans in Stade de la Source, just over 110 kilometers as the crow flies from the Parc des Princes. On a pitch from Spain just modified for the occasion, the capital club presented its strengths to continue its adventure in this national tournament with Kylian Mbappé, accompanied by Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani in the offensive sector. Facing them, we found two former Lensois, in the persons of Kevin Fortuné and Nicolas Saint-Ruf, also passing through Montpellier. And very quickly, Orléans goalkeeper Owen Matimbou was called upon but kept his team in this match, with a first save against Marco Asensio (7th). Finally, he was beaten by the inevitable Mbappé, found by Kolo Muani in the area, who followed quickly before shaking the net (1-0, 16th). A goal which stunned the locals, cornered in their final third facing uncontested possession from Luis Enrique’s men. The latter were even close to the break before the break thanks to KM7, well defeated by Matimbou (45+1st). Returning from the locker room, the current leader of Ligue 1 enforced logic in the game against the 12th in the National Championship.
And while Orléans finally showed a semblance of revolt, PSG obtained a penalty on a handball from Steve Solvet in his zone of truth. The Ile-de-France number 7 was quick to make the break and score a double in this match, to raise his goal counter to 28. And after two goals, the Bondynois became the decisive passer with a left-footed cross. for Gonçalo Ramos at the far post, author of a diving header to widen the gap (3-0, 73rd). Despite a few incursions into the Parisian area, Karim Mokeddem’s men were not sharp enough in their sequences to take on the red-and-blue defense. In the other camp, Ramos saw Matimbou deflect his header from a corner, under pressure from Mbappé in his goal area (82nd). The honor was finally saved by captain Nicolas Saint-Ruf, present on a corner kick to crucify Keylor Navas (3-1, 86th). However, the joy was short-lived for the Loirétains, who witnessed the first professional goal of the very young Senny Mayulu, served by Mbappé, again. The French U18 international scored a nice ball to appear on the scoresheet (4-1, 88th). In a meeting where the difference in level was inevitable, Paris SG did the job against a valiant Orléans team but limited on the pitch, thanks to a great Kylian Mbappé (2 goals, 2 assists).
