Mbappé the ‘giant killer’ | sports

Four goals against Barcelona, ​​three of them at the Camp Nou, in the second round and two against Bayern in Munich in the first leg of the quarter last Wednesday. Kylian Mbappé (Paris, 22 years old) redefines his aim in big games to become the great specialist in the Champions League in scoring against the giants of Europe. In his collection of victims, in addition to Barcelona and Bayern, whom he had already thrashed in the 2017-18 season, are Real Madrid (2019-20); Manchester United and Liverpool (2018-19) and Juventus, Borussia Dortmund (three goals) and Manchester City (two) when in the 2016-17 season he was still a Monaco player.

Accumulate more hits against the big rivals mentioned, 16, than, against the theoretically more affordable teams, 11: Basaksehir (2), Galatasaray (1), Bruges (3), Red Star (2), Celtic (2) and Anderlecht ( 1). So far this season he is the second top scorer in the competition with eight goals, only surpassed by Haaland’s 10. Six of PSG’s last eight goals bear his stamp.

Kylian made his Champions League debut against Bayer Leverkusen in September 2016. He was 17 years and 282 days old. Handel’s original musical composition soon awakened his directorial instincts. At 18 years and 63 days, in February 2017, he made his debut as a scorer against Guardiola’s City. It was at the Etihad and at that moment of the game it meant 1-2 for his team, which ended up beaten (5-3). He then became the second French footballer to make his debut so young in this competition, behind Karim Benzema.

Since then he has signed 27 goals, 21 with PSG and six with Monaco, and 17 goals in 43 games. His strength is in the right leg (20), although he usually plays heeled to the left profile. With his left foot he has five and two on his head. He has only achieved one of his goals from outside the area and is more accurate as a visitor, 19, than in the Parque de los Príncipes, eight.

At the stroke of precocity

Its earliness is confirmed by dates and statistics. In a match against Bayern in Munich (3-1) he was the youngest player to reach 10 goals (18 years and 350 days). And he was also the earliest to round 25 (22 years and 80 days). By scoring that penalty in the round of 16 against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, he beat Leo Messi’s record (22 years and 286 days).

This ability to achieve in Europe is also endorsed by his regularity in the French League. He currently tops the scorers’ classification with 21 goals in 27 games (0.78 on average), after having been the top scorer in the championship in the two previous seasons: 2019-20 (18 goals), tied with Ben Yedder (Monaco ) and in 2018-19 (33).

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