Paris (AFP)
Operation reconciliation for Kylian Mbappé: first whistled at the Parc des Princes, then acclaimed scorer, the Paris SG striker shone without qualms on Saturday in Ligue 1 against Clermont (4-0), turning the page of his flirtation summer with Real Madrid.
Since PSG refused the Madrid advances, and since Mbappé was not transferred in the offseason, here is the striker and his club forced to move forward.
Especially since Paris is in great need of Bondy's kid, especially when the Argentinian Lionel Messi, rookie superstar in the Paris transfer window, is left in the stands on Saturday afternoon, after a late return to selection.
Against Clermont, Mbappé made the life of PSG easier: scorer after a good ride (55th), he was involved in total on three of the four Parisian goals and settled alone at the top of the scorers classification of L1 (4 goals), just before returning to the Champions League on Wednesday in Bruges.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé overwhelms Clermont defender Akim Zedadka during their Ligue 1 match on September 11, 2021 at Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP
- Applause and whistles mixed -
However, the context was not easy for the world champion, back to competition after a glitch in a calf which cut short his participation in the rally of the Blues.
His reunion on Saturday with the Parisian public, who had scolded him in mid-August before PSG-Strasbourg (4-2) in the middle of the transfer window, would have been warmer: at the announcement of the team rosters on Saturday in the pre-match, his name was accompanied by a mixture of applause and whistles, a symbol of the divided opinions his case inspires.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé before the Ligue 1 home game against Clermont on September 11, 2021 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP
His media silence throughout the "culebron" (the sea serpent, in Spanish) of his possible transfer to Real, which unsuccessfully offered some 180 M EUR to buy back his last year of contract, has been variously interpreted among supporters .
And the fact that his lease ending in 2022 has still not been extended, giving rise to fears of a free departure next summer, continues to worry the Parisian ultras.
But on the ground, the attacker has hardly any link shown.
- Mischievous -
Positioned in front-center of a very overhauled eleven in the absence of Messi, Neymar or Angel Di Maria, Mbappé chained the sharp tumbles, even forcing the Clermont defender Akim Zedadka to an irregular intervention synonymous with a yellow card (10th).
The mischievous little pass of "Kyky" between the legs of a defender (7th) to alert a partner in depth certainly did not give anything, as did this good free kick that he deposited on the skull of his captain Marquinhos , who could have supported his head more (11th).
But each time Mbappé accelerated, he brought danger against an overly playful Clermont team.
His overflow and his center pushed back by an opposing defender allowed Ander Herrera, author of a double, to score the second goal of the afternoon (31st).
And before Mbappé's strike rejected by the goalkeeper this time benefits Idrissa Gueye with the head (65th), the attacker himself increased the score after an opening by Julian Draxler: acceleration in space, hook for clear the goalkeeper and the ball slipped coolly into the empty cage (55th) for his first goal of the season at the Park.
Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé dribbles Clermont goalkeeper Arthur Desmas and scores the 3rd goal during their Ligue 1 match on September 11, 2021 at Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP
We saw him then perform a few dance steps on the lawn with Achraf Hakimi to the cheers of the supporters, who chanted his name.
And he was applauded without nuance when he left the field, replaced by Mauro Icardi (79th).
The joy of Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappé, congratulated by Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi, after scoring the 3rd goal against Clermont, during their Ligue 1 match, on September 11, 2021 at the Parc des Princes FRANCK FIFE AFP
Mbappé forgiven, then?
In any case, everyone seems to want to turn the page and see the enticing trio "MNM", Messi, Neymar, Mbappé at work.
Why not from Wednesday in Bruges?
© 2021 AFP