Filmed as he got off the Paris Saint-Germain bus, Kylian Mbappé quickly waved to a few supporters before heading straight into the Parisian locker room, with a bad day face. Decisive three days earlier against Real Sociedad, the Bondynois had perhaps just learned that he would not start against FC Nantes. Extremely rare, Mbappé therefore played a second consecutive Ligue 1 match by starting on the sidelines after the reception of Lille on February 10.
An absence that got people talking
A small event since the matches that Mbappé plays in the championship are now his last in L1 since the unofficial announcement of his big departure. Another small striking detail: for the first time this season, the followers of the capital club did not receive the red and blue group before the match. Obviously highly anticipated, was the 2018 world champion going to remain nailed to the bench, as he was (as a precaution) against LOSC? The face displayed by the French champions at Beaujoire in any case resembled, with a few exceptions (Dembélé, Hakimi) that of the future PSG. Without Mbappé.
While his teammates had mastery of the leather, but did not create any clear chances, the Bondynois appeared all smiles alongside Hakimi when he was in the camera lens. We had to wait until the hour mark to see number 7 take off his tracksuit and come on (with Hakimi and Dembélé). Having become captain at the exit of Marquinhos (70th), the future ex-Parisian did not particularly stand out. But once again, even when he is discreet, Mbappé manages to make a difference.
Substitute, but decisive
In the 76th minute, he was the one who won a penalty after a foul by Douglas. A sentence that he was responsible for transforming without trembling, despite the bronca of Beaujoire (77th). His 13th away goal in L1, more than any other player in the European Big 5. Author of the break goal for PSG, the French striker then finished his match, gave his jersey to the Ile-de-France supporters before leaving. Not a word to the media. Passing through the mixed zone, Danilo Pereira was logically questioned about this very notable choice. Was he surprised by the absence of Mbappé at kick-off? “No, not at all because he played a lot of matches. It’s normal that he has to rest.”.
A speech shared by Luis Enrique a few moments later at a press conference. “It’s both simple and difficult to explain. We played a Champions League match two days ago, we needed energy to perform. It was important to give minutes to those who had not participated. You know, we have ambitious goals. We will need all our players”. To those who thought that the Spaniard had taken this decision to “punish” the Bondynois after the announcement of his choice, the latter dispelled any misunderstanding.
