Bakwa shines on Lille debut and sparks genuine competition with Ethan Mbappé

Dilane Bakwa needed just twenty-two minutes to make an impression. Brought on in the 68th minute during Lille’s draw with PSG (2-2) on Friday evening in the opening match of Ligue 1’s second round, the attacking midfielder on loan from Nottingham Forest scored a magnificent goal in the 84th, allowing the Dogues to pull clear.

This brilliant strike came after Ethan Mbappé had himself delivered a convincing first-half performance. Starting on the right of Lille’s attack, the 19-year-old younger brother of Kylian Mbappé made life difficult for Paris’s defence throughout his time on the pitch, earning points with his manager Davide Ancelotti.

The Spanish coach, son of Carlo Ancelotti, made no attempt to downplay the competition emerging between the two players. “There will be beautiful competition,” he said at his press conference. “Bakwa will help us a lot in this position. Ethan is a player with slightly different characteristics, but he’s also a very good player.” He added: “The two will help each other, push each other. We have many matches and both will be very important for us.”

Ancelotti also praised the form of his latest summer signing. “He arrived in good shape and was available. He’s a player who knows Ligue 1 and has many qualities. I’m happy for him,” he said.

The former Strasbourg player and Ethan Mbappé will therefore have to share Lille’s right flank during a season that promises to be demanding, with LOSC also competing in the Ligue des Champions.