PSG-Monaco (2-2): Désiré Doué faithful to the appointment

He had been the man who turned everything upside down coming off the bench last week. This Wednesday, February 25, was the day of revolt. Three classy actions were enough to prove, during the first leg, if necessary, the value of Désiré Doué in these decisive meetings. Only one was necessary, this time, to relieve his team, qualified in the round of 16 of the Champions League, after their draw at the Parc des Princes against Monaco.

The twist of fate experienced by Ousmane Dembélé allowed the former Rennais (20 years old) to put on the hero’s costume on the Rock. And as the Ballon d’Or was still in trouble with his left calf, the return to the forefront of the Golden Boy was able to find its continuation this Wednesday, after having completed a week with three goals. This time, it was as a starter, in a role of false number 9 which he had played perfectly in the principality, that “DD” was expected in order to make people forget the absence of the world champion.

First assist of the season in the Champions League

Prince of Monaco, Désiré Doué may not deserve the crown of Prince of the Park, but he has at least honored his status as the number 1 offensive asset of an attack that is not always inspired on the European scene. Without being as twirling as at Louis-II, his magic and technical finesse once again made it possible to make the difference and put PSG back in the direction of travel. Paris was chasing the score, skating and purring but in the wake of the red card received by Coulibaly (58th), the number 14 immediately punished the Monegasques by letting his talent and his sense of collective speak for a moment.

It was not the hardest action of the little prodigy’s career, but the sequence was devilishly effective: alone on the right side, Désiré Doué was able to use his sense of percussion and get the best of Lamine Camara before sending a precise cross, passing between the legs of Zakaria, in the direction of Marquinhos.

The Brazilian captain allowed his team to get back on track, Doué once again proved his ability to be able to change the course of a match with one action. His first assist of the season in the Champions League – the fifth of his career in the competition – allowed him to improve his own record after a discreet first act.

Involved in four of PSG’s five goals

Within a frankly amorphous Parisian collective, number 14 initially encountered enormous difficulties in standing out and being found by his partners. Rarely dangerous in the half of the field of well-disciplined Monegasques, the Parisians were unable to rest on the vista of a too lonely Doué. This position of number 9 requires a great adaptation and this meeting reminded us to what extent Ousmane Dembélé remains valuable through his travels.

With the exception of a cross (17th) or a poorly negotiated situation (31st), Doué had no influence at all and there was nothing surprising in seeing him start the second act in his preferred left lane. Determined to be present in these continental meetings which allowed him to build his notoriety, Désiré Doué was faithful to his reputation. Involved in four of the five goals scored by his team during this double confrontation, he literally left his mark on these play-offs. PSG will still need him to overcome the next obstacles…