Bouaddi dazzles City against PSG and reignites France's regrets

Ayyoub Bouaddi changed the complexion of the Champions League clash between Manchester City and PSG on Wednesday evening, to the point of reviving regrets in France over his decision to play for Morocco. PSG won 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium in this second matchday of the league phase, but it was Manchester City’s second half — largely driven by the midfielder’s introduction — that fueled discussions after the final whistle.

Having launched into an attacking display in the first half, Luis Enrique’s side saw Manchester City significantly raise its level from the restart, after Bouaddi came on at half-time. The former Lille player immediately accelerated the ball circulation, helped narrow the gap and gave the Skyblues a completely different face. His performance did not escape French observers.

Questioned on L’Équipe’s channel after the match, journalist Dave Appadoo was direct: “When Bouaddi came on, he completely changed the face of Manchester City’s game. What he does is prodigious.” Before addressing the subject that rankles with the French: “I get the impression that this is a player who will reach a very, very, very high level. Tonight, he earned his starting place with City.”

Formed in France’s youth categories, Bouaddi ultimately decided in May in favor of Morocco, the country of his parents’ origin. A definitive choice that deprives Zinédine Zidane of a profile that some judge tailor-made for the manager’s project. “You can’t help but think, given what Zinédine Zidane is building, that it’s somewhat a failure of French football not to have managed to convince him,” Appadoo continued, before concluding: “Bouaddi, perhaps he was made for Zidane’s project.”

The question remains open. For now, it is under the Moroccan shirt that the midfielder will continue to write his story, while Manchester City now has a strong argument for entrusting him with a starting place.