After Bordeaux – Paris Saint-Germain / Neymar – Kylian Mbappé, the PSG duo finally reconnected

The tandem had slipped away a bit. In the spotlight for four years when it came to PSG, the Neymar – Mbappé duo had been rather discreet this season. He was missing a match to remind us how essential he was to the success of the capital club. It happened in Bordeaux. With a double from the Brazilian on two offerings from the French, Paris relied on its associated artists to bring back a success from Gironde (2-3). A shine rediscovered saving for the formation of Mauricio Pochettino, still inconstant on the Bordeaux lawn.

The two men often looked for each other. They especially found each other very well. The first warning shot came on a perfectly balanced cross from Mbappé, from right to left, to find his friend Auriverde on the left of the surface. The technique and the instinct of the Brazilian did the rest to allow the opening of the Parisian score. The sequel confirmed the reconnection of the duo. With a school one-two between Neymar and his French sidekick, punctuated by a precise strike from the Brazilian to afford a double. His first two goals in the game since May.

Neymar and Mbappé did not fail to celebrate together. It had become rare this season. Between the two men, it was rather a question of tensions, like a scene captured by the cameras during the victory of PSG against Montpellier (2-0), on September 27. Mbappé got carried away when he left the field, repeating an action on which Neymar had “forgotten”. “This tramp, he does not give me the pass“, had launched the French. He was then explained in the columns of L’Equipe. It was a hot reaction.

The frustration is gone

But she indicated that their relationship was not really good. Several factors could explain it. The arrival of Lionel Messi, so close to Neymar in Barcelona, ​​logically upset the usual circuits of the Parisian attack. The Brazilian’s poor form, who is only beginning to regain all his sensations after a very delicate start to the season, has had a negative impact on the effectiveness of a duo. The exchanges were less numerous and more difficult. A form of frustration began to take hold within the duo. It was shattered in Bordeaux.

It’s welcome to Paris. When Neymar and Mbappé manage to find each other, everything becomes easier for a PSG who is still struggling to find this collective quality that allows him to master the matches. This was still the case in Bordeaux. And Mauricio Pochettino did not fail to rejoice in the efficiency of his two offensive stars in Gironde. “Il (Neymar, Editor’s note) had a very good match, he scored two goals, noted the Parisian coach. It’s important for an attacking player to score. It’s also good for Kylian (to have scored, Editor’s note)“.

The rise of the duo is all the more encouraging given the deadlines that await PSG. Especially in the Champions League. After the international break, the Parisians will have a crucial meeting with Manchester City. The English club, impressive this Saturday in the derby against United (0-2), took advantage of the draw conceded by Paris in Leipzig to regain the head of the group. Pochettino’s men will have to achieve a feat at the Etihad to regain their throne. It will not be impossible if Neymar and Mbappé display the same complicity as in Bordeaux.