Sports
Champions League: Mbappe ready for clash with Atalanta – Tuchel
Kylian Mbappe is set for a sensational return to action for Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final clash with Atalanta on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old had been expected to miss out after suffering an ankle injury in the Coupe de France final win over Saint-Etienne on July 24.
However, PSG boss Thomas Tuchel has now suggested Mbappe is ready to play a role from the bench.
“If he has a good training session today and nothing extraordinary happens, he will be with the team tomorrow,” Tuchel told his pre-match press conference.
“We are very happy that he is with the group and that we can have the possibility of finishing the match with him.”
If Mbappe does feature, even if only from the bench, it will represent a remarkable change of fortunes for PSG.
Tuchel has previously said he thought it would take a “miracle” for Mbappe to be fit in time for the game, as the French champions look to stake their claim for the European crown.
Having Mbappe back eases some of the pressure on Neymar, although Tuchel feels the Brazilian has the mindset and ability to carry the PSG attacking threat if needed.
“I have the impression that there is always a lot of pressure on him, but he likes it,” said Tuchel of Neymar. “He is used to playing with this pressure.
“We are very happy that Kylian is also with the group and that we can have the possibility to finish the match with him, because the two like to play together.
“Neymar is decisive on the big matches and I am convinced that he can be the key man for us. He has the necessary quality for this kind of situation.”
Mbappe has scored 30 goals and registered 18 assists in 34 games in all competitions for PSG this season, their top scorer ahead of Mauro Icardi and Neymar.
-
Metro22 hours ago
Fire razes Sokoto market,motorcycles burnt
-
Metro22 hours ago
Australian man falls to death from hot-air balloon
-
Metro21 hours ago
Chaos erupts in Delta as police allegedly shoot protesters
-
News13 hours ago
More Marriage Prospects, Divorce lessens – Data
-
Entertainment17 hours ago
Nollywood legend Amaechi Muonagor seeks support for Kidney transplant
-
News13 hours ago
Gov Uba Sani launches N11.4b palliatives distribution in Kaduna
-
Metro3 hours ago
EFCC obtains court order to track Nigerians trading with Binance
-
News2 hours ago
Delta: Northern youths beg army against revenge over soldiers’ killing