Paris (AFP)

Paris SG easily beat Dijon (4-0) with a brace from Kylian Mbappé on Saturday in Ligue 1, but the exit on injury from Angel di Maria prevents it from going too peaceful days before Dortmund.

Faced with the risk of the spread of the new coronavirus, the League (LFP) removed from the pre-match protocol the handshakes between players of the two teams. But now the whole Paris team has engaged in a big collective embrace, two minutes after kick-off!

The quick goal of Pablo Sarabia (3rd) sealed the victory of Paris against a poorly classified which consolidates his place as leader after the 27th day. But, in this pre-Dortmund context, more than the regrouped block of Dijonnais, it is itself that the PSG fears the most.

In this regard, eleven days from receiving Borussia in a crucial knockout round of the Champions League return, coach Thomas Tuchel may have lost big: his star Angel di Maria felt pain in the back of his right thigh , who forced him to request his replacement (17th).

His faces reminded those of defender Thiago Silva, touched in the thigh with the same leg, and released ... at the same minute against Bordeaux (4-3), last Sunday. The Brazilian, unavailable for at least three weeks, has withdrawn from the C1.

The blow would be terrible for Paris if "Dima", the most regular of his attackers, were to miss the most important match of the season, especially since Marco Verratti, another essential, is suspended.

You only need to look at the hour after Di Maria's release to realize its enormous influence. Without the Argentinian or Neymar, suspended, PSG has long lacked inspiration and efficiency, until the goal of Kylian Mbappé (74th).

- Icardi goalscorer -

"Kyky" was the most legs of Parisians. He also sealed the score (90 + 1) of his 18th goal in L1.

But if he may have lost an attacker with Di Maria, PSG also regained one: Mauro Icardi, who scored (76th) five minutes after entering, on a pass from Mbappé. The Argentinian dragged his spleen in February, who saw "Edi" double him in the hierarchy.

Replacing Dortmund, neglected in the love story that unites the Park with his darling Cavani, the former "bomber" of Inter scored a goal in his style, on his first opportunity - his realism contrasts with clumsiness of its competitor (35th, 60th), titular but not at the party for its 200th in L1.

The race between the two scorers is restarted for Borussia.

Another outstanding question for this 8th: the positioning of Marquinhos, who could pass central defender to fill the absence of Silva. But Tuchel appreciates it in the middle and restarted it on Saturday.

"Marqui", captain, played alongside Idrissa Gueye, and it was young Tanguy Kouassi who formed the hinge with Presnel Kimpembe - successfully, since PSG signed a salutary "clean sheet", after a week where he conceded nine goals in three matches.

To be confirmed in Lyon on Wednesday, in the semi-final of the Coupe de France, where "Presko" is suspended.

© 2020 AFP