Paris (AFP)

Paris SG made the powder talk with a successful performance of Pablo Sarabia, Saturday at home against Montpellier (5-0), quickly reduced to ten and forced to play his third goalkeeper, before finishing nine.

Traveling to Paris is already difficult for any team. They can sometimes even turn into ordeal, as the team of Michel Der Zakarian made the bitter experience for this 22nd day of Ligue 1.

Coming to the capital without Geronimo Rulli, their suspended goalkeeper, the Héraultais had entrusted the keys of their defense to the international Espoirs Dimitry Bertaud. Las, the 21-year-old goalkeeper was guilty very early of a hand fault outside his area (17th) in front of Kylian Mbappé.

His exclusion allowed Matis Carvalho to make his baptism of fire in Ligue 1. Not a gift for the young man, professional since this summer ...

Under these conditions, Paris did not have to force his talent, despite the cascade of absences which had decimated his defense.

Thomas Tuchel had to build armor without Juan Bernat (calf), Marquinhos (hamstrings), Thiago Silva (groin) and Colin Dagba (knee), injured Wednesday in Pau and absent until early March. But its workforce, kept intact during the winter transfer window, has resources.

The German coach chose to align a rejuvenated central defense with Tanguy Kouassi and Presnel Kimpembe, designated captain, and to install on the sides Thomas Meunier and Layvin Kurzawa, who remained in Paris despite very extensive contacts with Juventus Turin.

- Cavani and Icardi alternates -

However, it was the composition of the offensive lines that was most awaited. Would Tuchel maintain his confidence in Mauro Icardi, unable to score in the last five games? Or was he going to revive Edinson Cavani, restrained in his initial desires?

Neither! The two attackers took their places on the substitutes' bench, from where they could appreciate the Neymar show, between silky technical gestures and hair jokes (hair tinted in pink).

If the Brazilian, left to rest this week in the Coupe de France, provided the show, it was especially Pablo Sarabia who burst the screen at the start of the game.

Placed in the axis of the attack, the Spanish winger made the entry nets tremble on a service from Kylian Mbappé, but the latter was offside (4th). Regardless, the left-hander recurred just after a splendid rolled strike, with the right foot and from outside the area (8th).

Already a goalscorer in Pau in the Coupe de France on Wednesday, the 27-year-old international has stacked goals since arriving in Paris last summer from Sevilla FC. Its counter displays ten, all competitions combined.

Trained at Real Madrid, the small attacking midfielder (1.78 m) has also made a specialty of assists. He demonstrated it again on Saturday with the 2-0 goal, sending Angel Di Maria to carry out his "special", a small stake above the opposing goalkeeper (41st).

Montpellier, fourth at kick-off, has never been able to recover from this catastrophic start. Unhappy, the Pailladins drank the cup before the break on an improbable goal against his side of Daniel Congré (45th).

In the second half, there was no miracle for the visitors, defeated by new goals from Mbappé (57th) and Kurzawa (65th).

Tuchel took advantage of the situation to blow Marco Verratti, Sarabia and Mbappé, who came out almost twenty minutes from the final whistle. Obviously, this choice did not appeal at all to the young world champion who, face closed, had a lively explanation with his coach when leaving the field.

The coaching of the German technician, less than three weeks before traveling to Dortmund in the Champions League, nonetheless enabled the Parc des Princes to review his darling, Cavani, ovationed when he came into play.

Eager to join Atlético this winter, the top scorer in the history of PSG could see that his popularity had not changed an iota in Paris. A consolation prize for the "Matador".

© 2020 AFP