Champions League: Mbappé too fair for PSG-Atalanta

Kylian Mbappé will not be seen at the kickoff of the Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta Bergamo on Wednesday. Even if the miracles still exist, the idea of ​​his presence Wednesday night on the lawn has faded. And, despite the good news of the last few hours. The Parisian striker will be, at best, on the bench against the Italians. Like a threat, like Lionel Messi in 2013 with Barça, when the Argentinian observed his team from the sidelines before entering the game and warding off the Parisian danger by playing only half an hour.

Will the world champion be able to imitate the Argentine left-hander from Wednesday? According to our information, the deadline remains short. His state of health is beyond doubt. Without such a well-constituted body, his right ankle would undoubtedly have suffered more damage on the uncontrolled tackle from Loïc Perrin on July 24 in the final of the Coupe de France. But, here too, the former Monegasque is out of the ordinary.

💬🤪 @KMbappe: “Hi, how are you? »Pic.twitter.com/HiGbUwNLwU

Cautious, PSG announced three weeks of absence from the day of the injury. The quarter-final against Atalanta comes nineteen days later. The hope of the club and Mbappé remained real. Especially since its recovery phase, even without being faster than expected, goes without a hitch. This week, Neymar's friend tested his ankle, still recalcitrant. On Wednesday, he resumed the race at Camp des Loges. And here he is now in Faro… retouching the ball. Like all his teammates, Mbappé first woke up muscularly indoors.

In training, he chained the strikes

At around 7:15 p.m. local time, he entered the field to warm up for the race, without forcing too much. The Champions League ball was then able to meet his sore foot. During exercises of controls, discounts, dribbling on the spot, all without grimacing, Mbappé delighted the few supporters present. He then placed himself in front of a goal, chaining strikes. In view of this session, we imagine that the physical capacities of the Bondynois are still limited. He obviously did not take part in the session with the group and there are only three group sessions left by Tuesday. Seeing him in opposition with his teammates remains illusory.

Faced with the Italians, reason will take over the heart. Why risk aggravating an injury that could cause him to miss a semi-final and a potential first Champions League final? With six more days to go, his participation in what would become a Final 4 would no longer be in doubt.

Get inspired by the match against Real

By then, Thomas Tuchel will have to do without one of his master assets. To replace him, like Marco Verratti and the suspended Angel Di Maria, the German favors a 4-3-3. Pablo Sarabia, Neymar and Mauro Icardi will have to get by without Mbappé.

Last September, the Frenchman and even the Brazilian striker were absent against Real Madrid. This did not prevent Tuchel's team from correcting that of Zidane (3-0). There are, at least, good memories that allow us not to sink into the negative of the last days.

PSG Express

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