PARIS.- The Paris Saint-Germain coach (PSG), Luis Enrique, will have to decide if he gives rest to Kylian Mbappé on Friday when they face Monaco in the French league.
PSG will face Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday and will defend a 2-0 lead against the Basque club. Mbappé scored in the first leg.
The Parisians have been eliminated in this instance in the last two editions. Luis Enrique cannot afford a risk in case he needs the French striker to be at his best if Real faces them. It makes no sense to rest Mbappé, the league’s leading scorer with 21 goals.
Although Monaco has a lethal attack, it is not a title contender and is third, 13 points behind leader PSG. Once this day is over, the season will have 10 dates ahead.
But like all stars, Mbappé always wants to play.
Luis Enrique caused a stir after the decision to take him off midway through the second half with PSG trailing 1-0 at home to Rennes. His replacement, Gonçalo Ramos, ended up rescuing the tie.
“Sooner or later, sooner or later, this is going to happen and we have to get used to playing without Kylian,” said the Spanish helmsman. “When I consider it appropriate, he will play, and when not, he will not play, as all coaches do with their players.”
It was the first time that Luis Enrique referred to Mbappé in public in the past.
Mbappé took over the media attention:
Mbappé made headlines on Tuesday by attending a State Dinner with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.
Two years ago, a call from Macron helped persuade Mbappé to stay in France after aggressive interest from Real Madrid. The player agreed to stay in the country and signed a two-year agreement.
Two weeks ago, Mbappé informed club president Nasser al-Khelaifi that he would leave PSG at the end of the season. He is expected to join Madrid later, with media reports suggesting his mother is already looking for a house.
After Macron shook hands with Mbappé, the sheikh approached the player and said something in his ear, but without the camera seeing him.
Was this a last attempt to get Mbappé to change his mind?
After all, the attacker has not made his decision public and could decide to stay.
FOUNTAIN: AP
