Kylian Mbappe rises to the occasion to lead PSG’s demolition of AC Milan
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)'s rebuild hasn’t taken off the way many expected, but the Ligue 1 giants have nevertheless had a lot of positives in the season so far.
In the same summer that Lionel Messi and Neymar departed, the Parisians revamped their attack with the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembele and Goncalo Ramos.
A couple of youngsters have also come through the academy and have been handed first-team opportunities by new manager Luis Enrique. For the first time in many years, PSG seem to have a plan that centres more on building for the future than targeting immediate results.
While that might take some time to come together, the French side’s comfortable win against AC Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday typified a side on the right track.
Despite making a slow start, PSG upped the ante as the game wore on, cruising to a 3-0 win, courtesy of goals from Mbappe, Kolo Muani and Lee Kang-in.
Mbappe rises to the occasion against AC Milan
Mbappe has been one of the best players in the world for some time now, and he once again proved how good he is against AC Milan.
The 24-year-old scored a brilliant goal to open the scoring and was a constant menace on the flanks. The Milan defence struggled to contain him all night.
Mbappe has now scored 10 goals in 11 games across competitions this season, including two in three Champions League outings.
For a player who missed pre-season due to his initial standoff with the club over a contract extension, he has done well to warm himself back into the team.
PSG may have several talented players, but Mbappe will be key to how the club fare in the Champions League this season.
The Parisians are almost always on song when Mbappe is in form and playing his best football.
PSG back on track in Champions League
PSG’s last Champions League outing before Wednesday’s game was a complete disaster. The French champions were battered 4-1 by Newcastle United in what was an uninspiring performance.
However, they recovered brilliantly against Milan and are now back on track in Group F. Sitting atop the group after three games, it puts them in a good position to progress to the knockouts.
"I'm happy, very happy! It started with mistakes, with a lack of confidence. In the first 20 or 25 minutes, I'd say. We were full of doubt. Kylian's goal calmed us down. In the second half, I think we were better than our opponents,” Enrique said after the win over AC Milan, as quoted by PSG.fr.
“In a match at this level, you can't dominate the whole game. We didn't suffer defensively, but we weren't precise. So instead of being in our opponents' half, we were more in our own half. In the second half, I think the players were liberated by the goal.
He continued:
“We had more confidence and the game started with Ousmane's goal. It's a shame it was disallowed, but after that, the team continued to create chances. In the end, it was a great win.”
Indeed, PSG needed such a convincing win after their disappointing result at Newcastle United last time out. Now, though, they need to build on it as they chase their maiden European title.