Despite PSG’s victory on the Stade Rennais pitch this Sunday in Ligue 1 (3-1), Kylian Mbappé once again delivered a performance below his usual standards. Ineffective, sometimes clumsy and sulky, the captain of the France team is going through a complicated start to autumn.
He was more lively than at St James’ Park. But Kylian Mbappé was not reassuring during PSG’s victory on the pitch at Stade Rennais this Sunday, at the end of the eighth day of Ligue 1 (1-3). After being ghostly in the lair of Newcastle, four days ago in the Champions League (1-4), the captain of the France team delivered a frustrating copy at Roazhon Park. With a fourth game without scoring.
Since returning from his ankle injury sustained last month against OM (4-0), Kylian Mbappé has had a string of disappointing encounters. Far from its usual level. In Ille-et-Vilaine, the 24-year-old striker sometimes appeared sulky and unmotivated. Jostled in certain duels, the 24-year-old striker missed several technical gestures, like his surprisingly failed control after half an hour of play.
“A bit strange that he didn’t score in this match”
The 2018 world champion also failed to finish, even if he delivered a few good balls to his partners (Gonçalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola), who were unable to take advantage of them. Shortly before half-time, he did not aim his shot well even though he was in a good position at the edge of the area. In the second half, the PSG star sent a shot over the top on a serve from Randal Kolo Muani, before finding himself facing the empty goal when he had eliminated Steve Mandanda with a hook (86th).
This huge failure confirms the difficult period going through by Mbappé, who spoke very briefly at half-time on Prime Video, looking a little annoyed. Enough to wonder if he is at 100% of his abilities currently, as assured by his trainer Luis Enrique.
After this success in Rennes, the Spanish coach once again defended his best offensive asset: “Kylian has not scored but he has been at a very high level since the start of the season. He has done some good things. He has made passes, he created good chances. It’s true that it’s a bit strange that he didn’t score in this match, but it’s anecdotal. I remember what he brings to the team in attack and defense.”
“I think he was tired in this match. We play every three days, it weighs a little but no, he is not frustrated, he will score quickly,” replies his teammate Ousmane Dembélé in the mixed zone.
Will he relaunch with the Blues?
After this timid start to autumn, the PSG number 7 will now join the France team to prepare for the matches against the Netherlands (next Friday in Amsterdam) and against Scotland (October 17 in Lille) in Euro 2024 qualifiers. The opportunity to regain color under the orders of Didier Deschamps? “He is obviously not in the best shape, admitted the Blues coach after the slap received by Paris at Newcastle. But I have no concerns about Kylian, his desire and his state of mind to competitor.”