End of the international break and return of our good old Ligue 1 this weekend. After having to settle for a draw against OGC Nice 15 days ago, Paris Saint-Germain returned to the Parc des Princes to challenge RC Strasbourg, as part of the 8th day of the championship. A meeting which looked like an XXL test for the Parisians who are preparing to face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League next Tuesday evening. And this is how Luis Enrique opted for a slight turnover in order to maximize his chances in C1. The Spanish coach therefore offered minutes to Milan Škriniar, Lucas Beraldo, Senny Mayulu but also Désiré Doué. Recruited for the sum of 50 million euros, the former Rennais is having a hard time shining in the Parisian jersey at the start of the season. Too discreet in the game, he still seems a bit restrained and hesitant in his decision-making.
But trust always reigns between coach and player. Despite performances far from expectations, the young Parisian midfielder still has the unfailing support of Luis Enrique: “For me, he played well, he adapts to the style of our team but he is a very talented player. He is also very young, with a lot of desire and I am very happy with Désiré Doué“. These are the terms that Luis Enrique spoke of his summer recruit a little less than a month ago, after the draw against Stade de Reims (1-1). Against Strasbourg, the Angers native celebrated only his second start in Ligue 1 this season with PSG, after appearing for only 145 minutes since the start of this championship campaign. Pieces of unfinished meetings, very few differences made but above all a role to be defined and affirmed within PSG…
Misses and ball losses…
Désiré Doué’s first period was very complicated, like this too much hesitation in the face of the goal which allowed Sarr to return to defense, thus blocking the Parisian’s attempt (6th). During the meeting, the former Rennais lost 7 duels but above all 19 balls. A lack of accuracy and cleanliness which does not really worry Luis Enrique: “Désiré Doué can play in several positions, the front three and also in the middle, because he has a lot of versatility and I am very satisfied with his match. He is physically good, technically on point and he has the right mentality. He played 90 minutes at a very good level even if he was tired at the end and I am confident for his near future», nevertheless procrastinated the Spanish coach who had nothing negative to say on Saturday evening at a press conference after his team’s victory.
In the second act, PSG number 14 was slightly better, getting some good attempts. Aligned as a right winger, he still authored a good cross for Mayulu (57th), and was directly involved in Asensio’s goal thanks to his volley repelled by Petrovic (47th). By trying to bring a little life into the Parisian game through passing or dribbling, Désiré Doué showed his qualities, although the whole remains insufficient and in a glaring lack of efficiency and realism. At 19 years old, Désiré Doué finds it difficult to shine with regularity in a match, when he is placed in the spotlight. Nothing alarming, but the first questions arise given the sum paid by the Parisian club and the long and exhausting summer negotiations which were necessary to lock in his arrival in the capital.
