Le Mans (AFP)

Paris SG, without Neymar but with Kylian Mbappé scorer, passed at full speed Le Mans (L2, 4-1), Wednesday in the eighth finals of the Coupe de la Ligue, the first step in his reconquest of the national trophies.

Not far from the famous 24 Hours circuit, PSG has put itself into Formula 1 mode to race towards the quarters.

Thanks to its first canon period, Thomas Tuchel's team spent a quiet evening which allowed it to save fuel, at the start of a marathon calendar that will accelerate after the Holidays.

The German coach had already chosen to put Neymar, Keylor Navas, Thiago Silva and Juan Bernat to rest. He also left Mauro Icardi on the bench (for 67 minutes) and Thomas Meunier, as many holders brought to play when there is more elevation.

The road to winning the two national cups, abandoned last season, is still long, but also distant is the memory of the surprise defeat against Guingamp (2-1) in the quarter-final of the League Cup last January.

On the lawn of the last representative of Ligue 2, in a sold-out stadium ready to catch fire, PSG did its job seriously, in a 4-4-2 which seems to have become Tuchel's new favorite scheme.

- Mbappé, record series -

Even with Pablo Sarabia in place of Neymar on one side, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting at Icardi's post, compared to the eleven type, the Red and Blue managed to keep pace, well helped, it is true, by L2's worst defense.

These two usual substitutes made the difference, proving that the bench had grown well last summer: the Spanish winger unlocked the score on a cross from Angel di Maria (21st) then the German striker -camerounais doubled the bet at the conclusion of a free kick quickly played (41st).

Mbappé, launched in depth by a magnificent opening by Marco Verratti (42nd), and Di Maria, thanks to a ball from goalkeeper Le Mans Pierre Patron (48th), also did not leave the Sarthe empty-handed.

"Kyky" had a 6th consecutive game with at least one goal, his best club streak, according to statistician Opta. The Argentinian ended a shortage of almost a month.

Harrison Manzala reduced the score (54th) with a beautiful strike, which however did not sound like the end of the walk for Parisians.

The return to play of the Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera (78th), who had not played since October 27 due to an injury, constitutes one last good news for the PSG, decidedly varnished with the approach of Christmas.

© 2019 AFP