The big defensive performance of ASM, the form of young Diop, but also the insipid performance of PSG and Mbappé: find the Tops and Flops of this PSG-Monaco (0-2).
Tops
Monaco, the perfect plan
We can say that Niko Kovac has perfectly prepared for this meeting with his players. Coming in a hybrid system with a large density in the axis, the ASM perfectly thwarted the Parisian plans. By exerting a big pressure in the midfield, the Monegasques extinguished their opponents by cutting the preferential circuits, in particular coming from Paredes. Danger number one, Mbappé did not exist thanks to a well executed plan, the Frenchman often being surrounded by two, even three opposing players. A coherent and solid block from start to finish which achieved a great performance at the Parc and obtained a deserved success.
Maripan, the scoring defender
Arrived last summer, the Chilean defender is the real good pick of Monaco. In an often fragile sector lately, the presence of Maripan is reassuring. Beyond his many defensive clearances, he also knows how to turn into a scorer since he scored his 5e achievement of the season in Ligue 1 on a well-placed strike for the goal of the Monaco break.
Diop, real revelation
Erased during his first season in Monaco (in 2018-2019), Sofiane Diop left on loan at Sochaux last season. And since his return, the player trained in Rennes seems transfigured. Regularly used by Niko Kovac, the winger of the ASM multiplies the convincing performances. Full of ardor, his carelessness is complemented well with the experience of the duo Ben Yedder-Volland. And once is not customary, it is he who launched his team on the right path with a decided impulse (6e). Interesting by his calls, he forced the Parisian defenders to be extremely vigilant.
Chouaméni, real strength in the middle
The Monegasque environment was tireless in the midfield. With a large volume of play, he was everywhere on the lawn of the Park. Raking a good number of balls, he did not hesitate to throw himself in to cut off the opposing offensives.
Flops
Paris has come down from its cloud
It is becoming a habit with PSG. In recent years, after a European feat, Parisians have often tended to relax. New demonstration this Sunday evening against Monaco where Pochettino’s men proved powerless from start to finish. Uninspired, they lacked spontaneity in all their offensives and thus stumbled all along on a good Monegasque defense. They never found the key to getting out of it. In total, this is still a single point in 4 matches against a Top 4 team garnered by Paris this season in Ligue 1. An annoying habit this season not to be up to the national posters.
Mbappé, day and night
So brilliant on the lawn of Camp Nou last Tuesday, Kylian Mbappé was literally unrecognizable this Sunday evening. From his first touches, we did not feel he was having a great night. Well muzzled, it must be said, he had few spaces to express himself and when he benefited from it, he often made the wrong choice. We can also question his defensive involvement.
Gueye-Herrera, same fight
Chosen to be aligned around Paredes, Idrissa Gueye and Ander Herrera were at fault on several Monegasque actions, including the two opposing goals. The Senegalese is behind Diop on the 1er goal, while the Spaniard did not ensure his recovery on the action of 2e from ASM. Beyond its mistakes, their propensity to often play behind or sideways slowed down the Parisian game and did not allow PSG to ensure smooth offensive transitions. No coincidence that they were the first to come out in the second half.
