Cyrille de la Morinerie, edited by Gauthier Delomez / Photo credits: FRANCK FIFE / AFP
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8:15 a.m., March 5, 2024
It is a standoff which is poisoning the daily life of PSG and weakening the Parisian club, a few hours before the return match of the round of 16 of the Champions League against Real Sociedad. During the match against Monaco (0-0), Luis Enrique played Kylian Mbappé sparingly. A habit now since the latter announced that he wanted to leave the club at the end of the season.
At half-time of the match against the Monaco club, while PSG was struggling to make a difference against the Monaco club (0-0), the Spanish coach pulled out his best trigger, author of 32 goals this season. Annoyed, the star walked around the pitch and did not join his teammates on the sidelines. The French international even went to sit in the stands next to his mother.
Start of relaxation between Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappé?
It was during a one-on-one meeting that the two men were able to relieve the pressure. Last Saturday, during the clean-up, Luis Enrique and Kylian Mbappé were able to talk to each other. According to a source close to the matter, the technician and his top scorer had a positive exchange. Reconciliation of circumstance or lasting peace? A few hours before a crucial meeting, PSG cannot do without the best pyrotechnician in the history of the club.
Professional misconduct by Luis Enrique, according to Guy Roux
Despite PSG’s two-goal lead for this Champions League return match, the Parisian club remains on its guard and will be able to rely on Kylian Mbappé. In any case, the coach of the Parisian club has every interest in putting water in his wine, tackles the historical consultant of Europe 1, Guy Roux, at the microphone of Jacques Vendroux in The studio of legends. “After losing two feathers (Messi and Neymar), PSG is starting to damage the most beautiful feather it has left. However, it has known from the start that Mbappé is going to leave,” he says.
On Europe 1, Guy Roux is surprised by the radical management of the Spanish technician and instead recommends cuddle therapy: “Luis Enrique should have taken him under his arm, given him a few kisses, told him that he is counting on him! For me , it’s professional misconduct!” This professional error, according to Guy Roux, could be forgiven in the event of qualification, especially since Paris has been struggling in the round of 16 for two years (Bayern Munich and Real Madrid).
Despite this Mbappé psychodrama and some setbacks away this season at Newcastle (4-1 defeat) and Milan (2-1 defeat), the Parisians are largely favorites against Real Sociedad. The Spanish club, 7th in its championship, has only won twice in its last ten matches. Kylian Mbappé could take the opportunity to qualify PSG this Tuesday evening and shine in Spain, his probable future destination next June, he who is in the sights of Real Madrid.