Paris-Saint-Germain, without Neymar but with striker Kylian Mbappé, passed at full speed Le Mans (L2, 4-1), Wednesday December 18, in 8e of the final of the League Cup, the first step in his reconquest of the national trophies.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad spent a quiet evening saving fuel over the course of their marvelous first half of a marathon calendar that will accelerate after the holidays.
The road to winning the two national cups, abandoned last season, is still long, but also distant is the memory of the surprise defeat against Guingamp (2-1) in the quarter-final of the League Cup last January.
The Reds and Blues have managed to keep pace
On the lawn of the last representative of Ligue 2, the PSG did its work seriously, in a 4-4-2 which seems to have become the new scheme of choice for Tuchel. Even with Pablo Sarabia in place of Neymar on one side, and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting at Icardi's post, compared to the eleven type, the Red and Blue managed to keep pace, well helped, it is true, by L2's worst defense.
It was these two usual substitutes who made the difference, proving that the bench had grown well last summer: the Spanish winger unlocked the score on a cross from Angel di Maria (21e) then the German-Cameroonian striker doubled the bet with the conclusion of a quick free kick (41e).
Mbappé, launched in depth by a magnificent opening by Marco Verratti (42e), and Di Maria, thanks to a dumpling from Le Mans keeper Pierre Patron (48e), also did not leave the Sarthe empty-handed.
"Kyky" chained a 6e consecutive game with at least one goal, his best club series, according to statistician Opta. The Argentinian ended a shortage of almost a month. Harrison Manzala reduced the score (54e) with a beautiful strike, which did not sound like the end of the Parisians walk.
The comeback of the Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera (78e), who has not played since October 27 due to an injury, is one last piece of good news for PSG, decidedly varnished as Christmas approaches.
