Saint-Brieuc-PSG (0-7): Désiré Doué, a pilgrimage to Rennes full of promise

Pilgrimages are always more beautiful when there are people around to see you return to your lands. For the first time in his life, Désiré Doué stepped onto the Roazhon Park pitch with a jersey other than that of Rennes. Opposite PSG , it was therefore Saint-Brieuc and a part of Brittany had travelled for the event.

For the young Parisian striker, this stadium is almost his whole life. He took his first license at six years old at Stade Rennais and then joined the training center. Then, it was two light years that attracted Bayern and PSG. A few weeks of negotiations and 50 million euros later, Doué left his Brittany, his cocoon, for Paris. He left last summer as a young hopeful. Here he is again, crowned with a new status. The return of the child prodigy in short.

From the start of the match, it is clear that his motivation is total. Already to shine in front of stands that he knows by heart. And also because there is perhaps not only a qualification for the semi-final of the Coupe de France to win . In a way, going west of Paris also means getting closer to England.

Or at least, in spirit, of Liverpool, the ogre who will travel to the Parc des Princes this Wednesday for the Champions League . Shining at the Roazhon could offer a starting place against the English. That's his other challenge. Because, in the mind of his coach Luis Enrique, he may have to prove that a place on the left side of the attack is within his reach in the event of a good performance. While the public keeps shouting "Here is Saint-Brieuc", he is surely thinking "Here, Liverpool begins".

Thus, Doué very quickly displays his exceptional technique and speed. Too fast for his partners, in fact. Like his backheel in Ramos' race (5th). The Briochins tense up on each offensive and he seems light. His desire is obvious, almost palpable. And in this type of match where the ogre must still quickly force the doors of the castle even if they seem fragile, a dynamiter is needed.

It could only be Désiré Doué, the other DD of French football. Served by Kvaratskhelia, he curled a shot that hit the bar before being taken by Neves who opened the scoring (16th). The essential almost acquired, we must move on to the accessory: beauty. And there, he delights. At the break, while Ramos sealed the suspense, he returned the jersey half green from the grass of the field. Like another form of attachment to his childhood land.

After the break, in case Enrique still needed convincing, he accelerated again. With a backheel between Angoua's legs, he found Kvaratskhelia in the area who won a penalty (49th). Six minutes later, he sparkled again by scoring with a cross shot (55th). It was his sixth goal of the season and third in the Coupe de France.

In this match which is no more than a demonstration, Doué adds two assists. First after a 35m raid where he eliminates three opponents before serving Ramos (58th). Then with an offering on the left side for the young Mayulu (66th). In this match, Paris succeeded in the essential. Doué, himself, probably won a little more than a qualification.