What did we learn about potential Chelsea and Spurs opponents PSG in their 2-1 win over Strasbourg?

By Alessandro Schiavone in Paris

What did we learn about Champions League favourites and potential Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur opponents PSG with the joint-record Ligue 1 champions resuming league duties yesterday?

Capital Football attended their 2-1 against Strasbourg at Parc des Princes to assess their strengths and weaknesses.

Mbappé is the best in the world

Many people had been wondering whether Kylian Mbappé would be affected by a World Cup final hangover or post-tournament blues. But the freshly-turned 24-year-old is made of stern stuff. And former Arsenal flop Emiliano Martinez ridiculing him on the open-bus parade during Argentina's World Cup celebrations didn't touch him in the slightest either.

And any pre-match anxieties French football supporters may have had were removed as soon as he stepped on to the pitch. And he was everywhere: playing out wide or through the middle with the same efficacy. Last World Cup's Golden Boot winner, whose Bleus dumped England out in the quarters, netted eight times in Qatar. And a 96th-minute penalty against Strasbourg was the difference yesterday night at Parc des Princes as PSG went eight points clear at the top of Ligue 1 standings.

Throughout the 2022 World Cup Golden Boot winner was simply unstoppable. In the 17th minute it took a dodgy challenge from Strasbourg's nr 17 to stop him rampaging towards goal. And the way he slalomed past the entire Strasbourg defence on a number of occasions was just out of this world. His electric pace, one-touch football and movement were worth the entrance fee alone. But Strasbourg keeper Sels didn't roll out the red carpet and rose to the occasion. First he blocked the World Cup finalist's attempt on 25 minutes from a difficult angle, going on to repeat himself in the second period on a one-on-one. showed Yet whenever he bombs forward in classic Mbappé style, there is no defender in the world who can stop him on his own and even doubling down may not bear fruit. That said, even though the Bondy-born star didn't score from open-play, he's still the last player you'd want the ball to fall to in and around the box. Simply world-class and he is yet to hit his prime...

Marquinhos has an unrivalled knack for popping up and scoring headers

Brazil defender Marquinhos gave PSG the lead after heading home Neymar's free-kick following a hesitancy by goalkeeper Mats Sels who was caught in two minds. Having been for years one of the best goalscoring defenders in the world, the former AS Roma man showed again what a terrific menace he is from set-pieces. And it took him fewer than 14 minutes to bounce back from World Cup heartbreak which reflects his mental toughness .Two weeks ago one of his penalties proved fatal for Brazil's World Cup glory against Croatia in the quarters. Someone else may have fallen in depression. But the man who has been an absolute rock for the club de la capitable since 2013, has no time to dwell.

Ruiz-Vitinha may not be that good

The pair look decent against lesser Ligue 1 sides but are they good enough to support Messi, Neymar and Mbappé while protecting the defence when the big Champions League games come around? Despite the passage of time, Marco Verratti is still is the heart and soul of the capital club and it will be interesting to see how the Iberian pair cope on their own should the injury-prone Italian sit out the one or the other match. Do they have the skills to outsmart Bayern Munich stars and opposite numbers Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka as PSG aim for European glory at the Qatar Sport Investment's 11th attempt to finally win club football's Holy Grail?

Neymar-Mbappe: no love lost

If reports are true that one of the key conditions for Mbappé to stay in Paris is linked with the non-negotiable departure of his former friend Neymar, it's clear that the pair no longer have the chemistry they once possessed on the pitch. There was a time, soon after the 2018 World Cup winner joined PSG to play with his Brazilian idol, when they found each others with their eyes closed. Their understanding was telepathic, their chemistry felt natural and as a result they made things look easy. Yet, against Strasbourg last night their passes were either intercepted or completely misplaced. Minutes before O'Ney was sent off, the Frenchman launched a quick attack on the left playing a one-to with the Brazilian. Yet his pass into space for Mbappe lacked power and got intercepted. Once partners in crime, they now look as though they would both rather pass the ball back to Donnarumma.

With PSG likely opponents of either Chelsea or Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals should they all advance to the next round, there is a lot to be frightened of for Graham Potter and Antonio Conte if Mbappé is on his day. But a superb goalkeeping performance coupled with not giving away any penalties and preventing the former whizkid from having too much time on the ball may go some way towards easing plenty of nerves.

Yet Mason Mount and Harry Kane know what it feels like to share a pitch with him as England paid the heaviest possible price against France at the last World Cup. And the former Monaco wasn't even firing on all cylindars that night at the Al Bayt Stadium...