How PSG managed to start life without Kylian Mbappé

Bradley Barcola defeated PSG in the first weeks

Replacing Mbappé one-to-one is practically impossible due to his outstanding abilities. PSG is obviously aware of this, as they did not sign a replacement for the French national team captain this summer. Instead, they want to make up for the loss collectively – but Barcola is one player who has played a prominent role so far.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Olympique Lyon for 45 million euros in 2023, has already scored four goals in 155 minutes of action this season. Barcola’s goal in the league opener in the 4-1 win in Le Havre was particularly reminiscent of Mbappé: from the left side, surrounded by several opponents, he moved inwards with a quick hook at the corner of the penalty area and curled the ball unstoppably into the far corner. The movement sequences, the liveliness, the quick steps and the dynamic ball control – a lot of this goal could just as easily have come from Mbappé.

Barcola, like Dembélé, had been substituted shortly before his goal, and in the two remaining games the two formed the Paris offensive together with Asensio. In addition to Barcola’s three other goals (two against Montpellier, one against Lille), what is particularly striking is his passionate defensive work – especially in comparison to Mbappé – which Enrique also publicly highlights. Symbolic of this: Barcola winning the ball deep in his own half against Montpellier, after which he himself initiated a counterattack that ultimately resulted in an Asensio goal.

“I think we saw not one star today, but 16 stars fighting for the PSG colors,” said Enrique after the 6-0 win against Montpellier, and one couldn’t help but suspect that the Spaniard wanted to take another swipe at Mbappé, who was sometimes tired of defending. “16 stars in attack, 16 stars in defense. That’s how perfection works,” said the PSG coach happily.