Kylian Mbappe misfires as Paris Saint-Germain are knocked out of Champions League by Man United
- Kylian Mbappe wasn’t at his best as Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out
- Manchester United won 3-1 on the night, with United prevailing on away goals
- Mbappe’s big opportunity came late on, but David de Gea thwarted him
It was no surprise to see Kylian Mbappe splashed across the front page of Le Parisien on Wednesday or, for that matter, a cartoon of him inside dressed as Superman.
‘The Metamorphosis of Mbappe’ proclaimed the headline above an extensive analysis of how the most exciting prospect in world football has developed after joining Paris Saint-Germain in a deal worth £160million.
‘A year ago, we reproached him for his individualism, his arrogance, his nervousness in moments of stress,’ read an accompanying editorial. ‘Now he knows how to play collectively, to show modesty and seems impervious to pressure and provocation. At 20-years-old, Kylian Mbappe has already become a perfect gentleman, a French superhero.’
Kylian Mbappe wasn’t at his best as Paris Saint-Germain were knocked out on Wednesday
Mbappe had a hand in PSG’s goal but was not at his dynamic, devastating best
High praise indeed, even for a player of such enormous potential and a World Cup winner last summer at the age of 19.
The young man raised 17 miles away from Parc des Princes in the north-east suburb of Bondy is becoming a man. That growth has accelerated over the last year – half an inch in height and a substantial amount in muscle, we are told – but many in France would argue particularly so in the last month.
When Edinson Cavani joined Neymar on the sidelines on February 9, there were fears that the third and youngest member of PSG’s attacking triumvirate might struggle to shoulder the burden on his own.
Until Wednesday night, it really wasn’t much of a problem. Seven goals in five games, taking his total for the season to 28, included the second at Old Trafford last month when Mbappe’s quite ridiculous pace carried him past Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof to put PSG in firm control of this last 16 tie.
Three weeks on and we saw a rather more subdued Mbappe on a wet night in Paris. Manchester United appeared to found a bit of Kryptonite to fight back against PSG’s superhero.
The France international was unable to prevent PSG from going out to Manchester United
Yes, he had a hand in the equalising goal in the 12th minute, crossing low from the right for Juan Bernat to beat David de Gea at the far post, but this was not the dynamic, devastating Mbappe we have come to expect.
Maybe he was as guilty of overconfidence and no little sloppiness as some of his teammates. They had no right to be. It is, after all, two years ago this week that PSG suffered a stunning capitulation against Barcelona as they squandered a 4-0 first-leg lead.
Mbappe cut a rather isolated figure up front and all the pace in the world wasn’t enough to help him, not even in the seventh minute when he was inches away from connecting with Bernat’s cross in front of goal.
Seconds later, another first-time effort was fired straight at Chris Smalling, and then one more into the side-netting.
Perhaps the moment that best summed up his night arrived just before half-time when a stray pass found Mbappe unmarked 40 yards from the United goal.
Suddenly the pitch opened up in front of him and Lindelof began to backpedal, clearly expecting the worst.
Mbappe’s big opportunity came late on, but United goalkeeper David de Gea thwarted him
PSG’s No 7 began to move through the gears but had barely got out of third when the ball got caught between his feet and almost tripped him up much to the young man’s frustration.
It happened again the 77th minute when PSG broke away and Angel di Maria slipped the ball to his team-mate who was picking up pace down the left. This time, Mbappe’s first touch let him down and the Parc des Princes groaned in unison as he knocked it out of play.
A player of his talent can come to life at any moment, however, and Mbappe’s big opportunity arrived six minutes from the end of normal time. Put through on goal, you would have backed him to take the ball around De Gea but the United keeper stuck out a hand to take it off his toes.
It was a crucial moment. Within moments, Marcus Rashford was standing over the penalty spot and PSG – and Mbappe – were about to go out.
To say the least, this was a painful lesson in the learning curve.
