Mika Godts struck a big blow Friday evening in Rome. Starting with Belgium against Italy for the first day of the Nations League, the Paris Saint-Germain winger delivered an XXL performance in the victory for the Red Devils (0-2). For his third selection and his first official match with his selection, the Belgian especially made his mark by opening the scoring in the 20th minute. Served by Kevin De Bruyne, Godts infiltrated the area before using his technical quality to eliminate two Italian defenders and deceive Gianluigi Donnarumma. A first goal for the selection which rewarded an offensive performance full of percussion.
Beyond his goal, Godts was one of the great architects of Belgian domination in the first period. Very active on his left side, the 21-year-old player increased his runs, dribbling and taking the initiative, taking advantage of the freedom granted by Mark van Bommel. “In attack, he just told me to do my dribbling, and to continue even if it didn’t go through”explained the Parisian after the meeting. A confidence which he took full advantage of, even though the Belgian coach had asked him to persevere in his initiatives. For the Belgian press, Godts was one of the big winners of this evening and perfectly seized the opportunity offered by the absences of JĂ©rĂ©my Doku and Leandro Trossard.
Godts hits a big blow
This performance necessarily contrasts with his first weeks at PSG. Arriving this summer from Ajax Amsterdam, Godts has so far experienced a gradual integration into the French capital. He has not yet been established or decisive with the Parisian club and must mainly make do with appearances (144 minutes played, in all competitions). During his debut in Ligue 1 against Rennes, however, he participated in the Parisian reaction in the second half, without managing to eclipse Ferran Torres, scorer of PSG’s two goals. The Team recently described an integration “in small steps”, while emphasizing that the Belgian had the profile sought by the club.
His Italian evening could therefore constitute a symbolic turning point for the young Parisian. While Rudi Garcia had not selected him for the World Cup despite his good season with Ajax, Godts took advantage of the change of coach and the confidence of Van Bommel to recall his qualities. “The World Cup gave me extra motivation”he admitted after the meeting, while ensuring that he did not want to send any particular message to his former coach. From now on, his objective will be to transpose this confidence and this freedom into his daily life in Paris. PSG is still waiting for his talent to be fully expressed in the club jersey: in Rome, Godts in any case showed what he was capable of.
