Paris Saint-Germain won without forcing (4-1), Saturday January 20, against US Orléans, National club, and qualified for the round of 16 of the Coupe de France thanks to a double and two assists from Kylian Mbappé. Before the trip to the Loiret, the Parisian coach, Luis Enrique, was especially concerned about the state of the pitch at the Source stadium, which was completely replaced during the week after the discovery of pieces of glass. “There is a risk for the integrity of the players,” he regretted, saying that he would decide on his team on Saturday when he saw the pitch.
In front of 7,000 spectators, including some Parisian supporters, the Spaniard finally fielded almost the same offensive team as against Revel, sixth division, during the previous round of the Coupe de France (9-0), on January 7. Including Kylian Mbappé, who played a series of matches during a busy month of January: “Kylian wanted to play and when he wants to play, there is not much to say,” explained Luis Enrique after the match against Revel .
On Saturday evening, it was the French star who opened the scoring a quarter of an hour into the game. It was enough for the Parisians to accelerate for them to find themselves in the small spaces in the area. After that, the players of Luis Enrique – who had to do without Achraf Hakimi and Lee Kang-in (in selection), Milan Skriniar, Presnel Kimpembe, Nuno Mendes (injured), Alexandre Letellier (ill), Manuel Ugarte, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Nordi Mukiele (forfeits) – played without forcing.
First goal for 17-year-old Senny Mayulu
In the first period, they even managed to get pierced in defense, notably causing a dangerous free kick for Orléans (40th), who managed to gradually build up their pressure and push PSG back before half-time. Provoking the annoyance of the Spaniard on his sidelines. As during the goal from a corner at the end of the match, scored by the captain, Nicolas Saint-Ruf (86th, 3-1).
The meeting was an opportunity for Randal Kolo Muani, Gonçalo Ramos and Marco Asensio to have playing time, as against Revel at the beginning of January, where they showed themselves more. Apart from a header close to the target (14th), his decisive pass for Mbappé (16th) and a few accelerations, “RKM” was quite discreet, just like Marco Asensio, author of a good free kick well captured by the goalkeeper (8th ).
At the hour mark, the Parisians took cover thanks to a double from Mbappé from the penalty spot (63rd). The French striker was then a passer on two occasions: after a shift on the left side, he served the Portuguese Gonçalo Ramos (71st), who must, in recent weeks, count on the Coupe de France to show himself. Then Mbappé, who played a few minutes again with his brother Ethan, allowed 17-year-old Senny Mayulu to score his first professional goal.
Nice, Monaco and Brest in eighths
Nantes, the only elite team out so far at this stage of the competition, on the other hand fell from great heights. Winners of the event in 2022 and finalists in 2023, the Canaries suffered the law of Laval (0-1), seriously complicating the situation of Jocelyn Gourvennec, who arrived at the end of November 2023 after the dismissal of Pierre Aristouy and who continues to counter performance. This elimination, which adds to four defeats in a row in the championship, seriously weakens the technician.
Nice enforced logic by winning 3-2 in Bordeaux (Ligue 2), thanks in particular to a double from Morgan Sanson. Just like Monaco, which was able to count on the formidable efficiency of its attacker Wissam Ben Yedder, author of three goals, to erase Rodez (Ligue 2) 3-1.
Brest, for its part, was a little hot against Trélissac (National 2). Trailing 1-0 a quarter of an hour from the end, the Bretons, third in Ligue 1, waited until the 88th minute to end the suspense (2-1). Finally, Valenciennes (Ligue 2) beat Paris FC (Ligue 2) 2-1, and Le Puy (National 2) continues its adventure after its 2-1 success against Dunkirk (Ligue 2).