Paris (AFP)

In "lack of intensity and rhythm", the Paris SG hopes to start a new virtuous cycle Saturday in Montpellier in Ligue 1 (17:30): it implies to restore confidence to its stars Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, looking for automatisms and an honorary title of autumn champion.

Admittedly, the PSG has known since early November a defeat (2-1 in Dijon) and a draw (2-2 in Madrid against Real). Certainly, he dominates the Championship with five points ahead despite a late match at the dawn of the 17th day. Admittedly, he could make sure to finish the phase to go first this weekend in case of miss Marseille against Bordeaux Sunday (21:00).

But the sluggish performances follow each other, since this fantastic first period against OM (4-0), on October 27, undoubtedly the last time the immense offensive depth of the club champion of France has spread out into the open.

To the point that every time the coach Thomas Tuchel is invited to speak for a month, the same worries come back, the same words - and evils - emerge: "lack of confidence", "lack of rhythm", " regain the state of mind "," stay calm ".

Last example in date, Wednesday night after the victory without brilliance in front of Nantes (2-0). "We lack intensity in our game, without the ball but also with the ball.We lose a lot of confidence.Sometimes, it is perhaps only in our head: we play with the fear of losing the ball and we end up with lose it. "There is a state of mind (to have), it still lacks", was alarmed the German technician.

Statement shared by the players. "We must question ourselves," said defender Abdou Diallo. "If I had the solution, I would give it right away".

- Mbappé-Neymar, find their superb -

The solution, perhaps it must seek in the workforce ... even at the exit of the infirmary. Because for the first time this season, it begins to seriously empty, after the successive injuries of just about all executives (Mbappé, Neymar, Edinson Cavani, Idrissa Gueye, Presnel Kimpembe, Julian Draxler, Thilo Kehrer. ..). Only Marco Verratti and Ander Herrera are still affected.

But all these stars have played too little together since August, and must "fine tune their agreement", trying to justify Diallo.

Of course, the eyes are on the Mbappé-Neymar pair, lined up from Wednesday's entry for the first time this season, to the detriment of the two axial strikers Mauro Icardi and Cavani.

"It means a lot if in December our two key players, who we want to make the difference, play for the first time together," laments Tuchel. "You imagine (Lionel) Messi and (Luis) Suarez only playing together in December in Barcelona or Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry at Bayern Munich (...) They lack rhythm, automatisms".

The two behemoths of the Parisian attack have already taken a first step by scoring each a goal against Nantes, including a magnificent heelade registered by the French, at the end of a movement initiated by the Brazilian. But their combinations have often disappointed, and their superb past has not jumped at the eyes.

"It was the first time for them," tempers Diallo. "It will take time to refine the automatisms but it promises beautiful things".

Time (of play), "Kyky" and the "Ney" will have many of them by the winter break of December 21st. Because previously, the PSG will play five times, starting with Montpellier on Saturday.

© 2019 AFP