A pleasant victory, goals, a very nice reaction after a missed start and 3 points taken on the road to the title. Luis Enrique had good reasons to be smiling on Saturday evening, after his PSG’s performance against Lille at the Parc des Princes (3-1). But one of the best news of the evening remains an absence. That of Kylian Mbappé, whose ankle was spared after the tackle of Lilian Brassier in the Coupe de France, earlier in the week.
The Spanish technician had chosen not to take risks, avoiding making him permanent. And the Frenchman did not have to come off the bench to help his partners. “He could have played, he would have played if it had been a finaltold the Spaniard at the microphone of Canal+ after the meeting. But it was smart of him, and mine, to choose for him to rest so he could be ready on Wednesday.”
PSG players congratulate each other after Randal Kolo Muani’s goal against Lille, February 10, 2024.
Credit: Getty Images
Warm evening for the captains
This winning bet hides others. This Saturday against Lille, Luis Enrique placed his trust in a very largely overhauled starting eleven; including three or four players, hardly more, will start next Wednesday in the Champions League, against Real Sociedad. In addition to Kylian Mbappé, Marquinhos remained on the bench just like Gianluigi Donnarumma throughout the match. Achraf Hakimi (entered in the 69th minute) and Warren Zaire-Emery (74th) simply kept the pace. “When your team plays every 3 days, your goal is to control the minutes“, supported Luis Enrique after the meeting. (…) We are looking to ensure that a majority of players get playing time, and we had a very competitive version of the team tonight.”
On the pitch too, players made the most of their Saturday evening. Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani each scored a goal, allowing them to gain confidence before the upcoming European meeting. Coming into play in the 62nd minute in place of Ousmane Dembélé – 30 minutes of additional rest granted to an important player, again – Bradley Barcola was sharp on the left side of the Parisian attack. He also offered the break goal to Randal Kolo Muani in the 81st minute, after an exciting solo rush. We also think of the very solid performances of Nordi Mukiele and Manuel Ugarte, not really used to leading roles in recent weeks. Against Lille, Luis Enrique didn’t just win; he succeeded in his plan.