deliverance for Kolo Muani and Ramos, finally scorers

2023-09-25 05:13:30

DECRYPTION – Competing for the center forward position, the two attackers shook the nets on Sunday, against OM (4-0). First!

Mbappé-dependence? There has been a lot of talk about it since the start of the season, and rightly so. It must be said that the captain of the Blues had scored eight of the 12 Parisian goals before the Classic against OM on Sunday at the Parc des Princes. “It’s a good concern», Said Luis Enrique on Saturday, on the eve of this closing shock of the sixth day. And to add: “I think the team will score a lot of goals and the other players will also have good statistics“. Well seen. Hit in the ankle in the seventh minute, Kylian Mbappé only spent half an hour on the pitch on Sunday. Paris nevertheless put on the show, without him.

Before the former Monegasque’s exit, PSG was already leading 1-0 thanks to a master free kick from his friend Achraf Hakimi, another excellent Sunday. Without him, Luis Enrique’s men scored three more (4-0 victory). Starting with that of Randal Kolo Muani, the former Nantes player having followed well after a shot from Hakimi was repelled by the upright. His first goal in Paris, after a mixed performance against Dortmund (2-0) on Tuesday. “For a first goal, I couldn’t dream of better», he relishes, he who had a second tenure in a row. “It’s a magical evening, unforgettable for us and the supporters. We tried to make a mark and we did it very well. We can be very proud of ourselves“, continues Kolo Muani, author of a season with 23 goals and 17 assists with Frankfurt in 2022-23 “It feels good, it’s nice, we’re happy, the supporters too. We put on a show. It’s a good evening for us. Winning 4-0 at the Park in a Classic, I think it’s perfect“, he savors after this “very complete match», against OM.

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Speedy Kolo Muani

Beyond his goal, the native of Bondy hurt the Marseille defenders with his ability to hit and switch, without forgetting to make the effort when he lost the ball. And of course, there’s his speed. A boost which allowed him to take off at the end of the match to serve Ramos for the 4-0 goal. “It’s my style of play, taking advantage of spaces, even if I usually have a little less of them“, he emphasizes.

For this golden service to turn into a decisive pass, Ramos still had to do the job, he who was rather clumsy and clumsy at the start of the season. Perfect control, small ball with finesse to deceive Pau Lopez. Certainly, the former Benfica player is not as twirling and flashy as his partners in the attack line. Not the same profile. But his qualities as a surface attacker can hurt if used correctly. We saw him on Sunday. Before that, upon returning from the locker room, he had admired his header for the 3-0. Goldsmith’s work, under the eyes of a certain Pedro Miguel Pauleta. “I’m happy because it’s a big victory against a great team. I’m also happy because, finally, I managed to score my first goals. It’s special, it’s time to enjoy but tomorrow will be another day and we already have to concentrate on the next match», Launches Ramos, replacing at kick-off but launched in the 32nd minute in place of “KM”.

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Barcola seizes his chance

Luis Enrique was also not obliged to choose an attacker to complete his 3-4-3. Especially since Vitinha was coming off a big performance against Borussia on Tuesday. In the end, everyone shone in their register on the attacking front, the scorers Kolo Muani and Ramos, but also the passer Ousmane Dembélé and the surprise of the leader Bradley Barcola, lined up as a left winger/piston. Not decisive but precious and diligent. “I am very happy. Already because I was a starter, the fact of having this opportunity. I was able to show good things. And then it was important to win this match, we did it in a very good way», Declares the ex-Lyonnais, applauded by the Park, boiling on Sunday, during his replacement. “It’s a source of pride. I didn’t think people were going to applaud me like that. This is a first for me! It’s incredible», he enthuses.

Kolo Muani and Ramos competitors, yes, but teammates above all. BERTRAND GUAY / AFP

In summary, like in the school of fans, everyone won and scored points in this meeting. “We have a large workforce. We all play together. We are very united and that is our strong point. Kylian had a little injury but we didn’t give up, we all fought together to score again», notes Kolo Muani, about PSG’s ability to shine without its offensive leader. This bodes well for the future, even if “Lucho” sees his task becoming a little more complicated: the more the players shine, the more difficult his choices are. Of course, this is a problem that the former Barça coach is happy about, who had tactically innovated with this 3-4-3 and the four attackers. In the future, there will probably only be room for two for Kolo Muani and Ramos.

Also read “It’s nothing serious”: Luis Enrique not worried after Mbappé’s injury during PSG-OM

And now, Dembélé?

«It’s not a bad line of attack, right?», laughs Luis Enrique, referring to Randal Kolo Muani, Gonçalo Ramos, Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola, associated on Sunday for most of the match. And to resume, more seriously: “The goal is not to have four attackers, but to have 11! Just like the idea is not to have four defenders, but 11. When you have that, you can change positions. What matters is the mentality of the team. And that’s what we showed: we attacked together and defended together.» That’s the difference between the Paris Saint-Germain of recent years and this one. We still need to realize the opportunities. It will now be easier for Kolo Muani and Ramos, freed from this pressure of the first goal. While waiting for Dembélé’s. Maybe Saturday (5 p.m.), in Clermont.