This is sometimes the irony of fate. When Parisian supporters observed the composition of Tottenham this Wednesday evening in the Champions League, one name logically stood out: Randal Kolo Muani. Unwanted at PSG, the French international, who never knew how to establish himself under Luis Enrique, therefore faced his former club with undoubtedly the desire to prove that he had the talent to evolve at this level. And the relentless theory that a player always hurts his former club still applies. Holder on the attacking front, the former Nantes player initially tried as best he could to exist in his coach’s system.
Alone at the forefront with Richarlison in a 5-3-2, Randal Kolo Muani was very often alone, but while trying to improve the few balls he had 500 meters from Lucas Chevalier’s goal. In front of a Parc des Princes which did not give him a particular welcome, the French international did what he could not do at PSG: to be decisive even without shining. Shortly after the half-hour mark, on a long cross from Spence, he cleverly headed for Richarlison who just had to finish in the empty goal (35th). A first assist and a boost of confidence which was illustrated upon returning from the locker room as he wasted no time in giving the advantage back to his team. He took advantage of a mix-up in the area to send a powerful recovery which left no chance for a Knight who was still singled out for this action (50th).
A successful return
A goal and an assist against his former club was obviously not enough for Kolo Muani who struck again after the hour mark. This time, he took advantage of Vitinha losing the ball to fix the defense, successfully pass Lucas Hernandez, and crucify Chevalier once again (72nd). A goal fortunately without consequences since PSG still led and ultimately retained this lead. But for his return to the Park, Kolo Muani hurt the Parisians who were still very happy to have him back. “Randal, I know him, I had already played against him when he was in Nantes. In training the same, I know the quality he has. He has a very difficult physique to defend. In the one against one, he is present. Today he had a good match. He did things on the pitch. I’m really happy when players have a difficult time at the club and find joy again when they go elsewhere. In football, it’s like that. Sometimes it doesn’t work in a club and you have to keep looking for motivation. I’m happy that he’s here, that he’s playing, that he’s having fun. He’s a very good guy, we had good times in the locker room and I wish him the best for the future.”Marquinhos told us in the mixed zone.
Same story for defender Pacho. “He was very good. Randal is a great friend from Frankfurt. He had chances, he is a very high quality striker. But fortunately, we obtained an important victory. » For his trainer Thomas Frank, the Frenchman’s performance could even become a turning point for the rest of his season. “It can certainly be a trigger, and these two goals will give him confidence for the future. He had some difficulty finding his confidence, but he seems to be getting better and better now. » Seen at the end of the match, in the corridors of the stadium, in discussions with Presnel Kimpembe (who traveled from Qatar to see his teammates), Randal Kolo Muani is perhaps finally having his benchmark match with the Spurs. And it obviously had to be against PSG for the sake of history.
