Hundreds of fingernails were chewed in the capital, between Friday evening and late Monday afternoon. Since Kylian Mbappé's injury exit in the Coupe de France final against AS Saint-Étienne (1-0), Paris Saint-Germain supporters have been worried about a possible absence for the final 8 of the Ligue des champions, which begins August 12 against Atalanta. The images of the French striker on crutches Friday night did not reassure anyone. The verdict is finally in. Nearly. "The recovery time is estimated at about three weeks", indicates the PSG, informing of a "sprained ankle (right) with external ligament injury". The game against Atalanta is exactly 16 days away. Very bad omen, then.
Mbappé's top 5 goals in Ligue 1 this season
The champion club of France did not need that. Of the 45 matches played this season, Mbappé has missed 11. On average, PSG scores 3.2 goals / game with him, and 2.1 / game without him. In the Champions League, he is involved in 9 goals this season (5 goals, 4 assists). He had appeared in legs during the last friendlies, and against the Greens where he is at the origin of the only goal signed Neymar. Her absence will weigh all the more heavily as she is not the only one. Angel Di Maria will be suspended against Atalanta while Edinson Cavani did not extend his contract. At a time when the temporary rule of 5 authorized changes multiplies the options for coaches, Thomas Tuchel will have to do with a very limited bench in the offensive sector. Quite the opposite of Gian Piero Gasperini and his strong squad at Atalanta.
Atalanta is not at best either
But PSG have not already lost, far from it. The packages of Mbappé and Neymar did not prevent a resounding victory at the start of the Champions League campaign, against Real Madrid (3-0). And if he scores less, the Parisian club has still won 80% of its matches without Mbappé holder in Ligue 1 in 2019-20 (82% with him holder). Finally, PSG cough but Atalanta too. Goal machine blocked, the Dea has scored only once in its last 3 matches. An anomaly for the best attack in Serie A (96 goals in 36 matches). The season is definitely very long and everyone is sticking their tongue out. At least, if Paris wins, there will be 5 days of rest before a possible Champions League semi-final. Mbappé will have time to heal his ankle.
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