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PSG drew at home against Benfica Lisbon on Tuesday, delaying their qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League (1-1).
Inevitable Mbappé. After having animated the pre-match with buzzing rumors in the French press about his desires elsewhere, the French prodigy believed to lead PSG to victory Tuesday, October 11 against Benfica. However, an equalizer from João Mario deprived Paris of an early qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League (1-1).
In the afternoon, several media have however relayed the thesis of a malaise of the player, a sign that the entourage of Mbappé may have wanted to throw a stone into the pond by leaking the ras-le-bol of the player in the media, on the theme: if this continues, I’m leaving. He would be particularly unhappy with his current position with PSG.
PSG football adviser Luis Campos, reputed to be close to the player, quickly tried to clear up the growing controversy before kick-off: “I’m with Kylian Mbappé every day, he never talked to me about leaving in January. It’s not a statement from the player, it’s information (from the press), and having such information before a match like this is very serious,” said the Portuguese, pointing to destabilization.
Kylian Mbappé as a leader
Destabilized, “Kyky” did not appear on the field. If the PSG was well jostled in the first moments, the fault of a physical and aggressive pressing of Benfica, he ended up taking control of the match, arrogating possession of the ball. The 2018 world champion, he makes his speed speak by dezoning on the left side. He goes to the duel with Silva, whom he dribbled with two stepovers before attempting a center back. Otamendi eve (7e).
A quarter of an hour later, it was Neymar who launched him on the counterattack. The Frenchman comes to challenge Otamendi and passes him quickly but the Argentinian puts a nice sole on him (21e). The Brazilian lets out a bit of frustration that Mbappé didn’t make the pass.
If Benfica gets a few situations (16e17e), it was Paris that ended up opening the scoring. Juan Bernat is mowed down by Antonio Silva in the box. The referee whistles a penalty that Mbappé hastens to claim. He hit the mark by taking Vlachodimos the wrong way (43e, 1-0). He also became the top scorer in the history of Paris in C1.
Upon returning from the locker room, the native of Bondy continues his show as if nothing had happened. Found at the entrance to the surface, he feigned a duel with Antonio Silva and rolled up a shot in his favorite position. Vlachodimos is beaten but the ball misses the target (51e).
He and his teammates fall asleep leaving the monopoly of the ball to Benfica. After several occasions (54e55e), the Lisboans obtain a penalty on a foul by Verratti. Gianluigi Donnarumma can’t do anything about João Mario’s shot (62e, 1-1). Everything has to be done again.
Mbappé sounds the revolt. He escapes again on the left side before being caught in extremis, obtaining a corner which gives nothing due to an offside position of the Frenchman (65e). He believes he is the savior of his team in the last moments by scoring a goal… logically signaled offside (86e). The shock suffered a few moments earlier finally got the better of him. He is replaced by Carlos Soler, leaving his teammates powerless to change their fate.
A few days before the classic against OM, PSG did not silence their doubts.