With a versatility that allows him to play in the middle as well as in defense, the young Axel Tape (17 years old) appears for the first time in the Parisian group for the reception of Toulouse, this Friday (9 p.m.), on the occasion of the 12th day of Ligue 1.
No Marquinhos, suspended for accumulation of yellow cards. Neither Nuno Mendes, injured in the right ankle at the start of the week with Portugal and spared, nor Lucas Hernandez, no longer so far from a return to competition but still too short six months after his rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee.
Presnel Kimpembe, too, is in the recovery phase, while young full-back Naoufel El Hannach is currently in selection with the Moroccan U20s. In short, Luis Enrique is faced with a cascade of absences in his defensive sector when it comes time to challenge Téfécé, this Friday (9 p.m.), on the occasion of the 12th day of Ligue 1.
Starter in Youth League
A particular situation which pushed the Parisian coach to call up the versatile Axel Tape (17 years old since August 10) into his group for the first time. Representative of the 2007 generation, he had never been selected for the first team before. Present this Friday morning training with the pros, under the snow at the Campus in Poissy, the native of Bondy (Île-de-France) has the advantage of being able to cover several positions, both in midfield and in central defense.
Pure product of the Parisian team, like Yoram Zague (18 years old) and Ibrahim Mbaye (16 years old), also called by Luis Enrique for the reception of Toulouse, Tape has not yet signed a professional contract, but he has passed a milestone since the start of the season with David Suarez's U19s. With an already athletic profile for his young age and a real ability to play forward.
Aligned with the French U18s
In addition to his regular appearances in the U19 National Championship, he notably started the first four days of the Youth League, against Girona (0-2), Arsenal (0-1), PSV Eindhoven (3-3) and 'Atlético (4-2).
This month, he took part in the two friendly matches played by the French U18 team led by Landry Chauvin, lost against Turkey (1-0) and the Netherlands (1-0). He was able to reunite with his club teammates, Mahamadou Sangaré and Ibrahim Mbaye, as well as other French football hopefuls such as defender Mathys Angély (Wolfsburg), attacking midfielder Enzo Sternal (OM) and striker Enzo Molebe (OL ).
