Mbappé triggers the alarms at PSG

Unexpected script twist on the eve of the transcendental duel that will measure Real Madrid against PSG on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu. Kylian Mbappé suffered a severe blow to his left foot during training carried out on Monday by the team led by Mauricio Pochettino and is doubtful for the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. Given the substance of the crash, it is normal for him to play, but everything will depend on the evolution of his bruise.

Bondy’s crack missed the match between PSG and Nice last Saturday, corresponding to the twenty-seventh matchday of Ligue 1, as he was sanctioned for accumulating yellow cards. On Sunday he exercised normally with the rest of his teammates and this Monday he returned to training at the Camp des Loges, but at the end of the last session before traveling to Madrid all the alarms went off. Because the star was the object of a stomp by Idrissa Gueye that puts his presence in the white coliseum on the wing and compromises Pochettino’s plans.

The first explorations that were carried out on the attacker rule out that a fracture has occurred, but the PSG coaching staff is concerned because the deadlines are very tight and the risk of aggravating the trauma suffered by force must be taken into account. be in the Chamartín enclosure.

Architect of the victory achieved by PSG against Real Madrid three weeks ago at the Parc des Princes, where the 2018 world champion in Russia offered an exhibition before closing the victory in the 93rd minute with a cross shot after getting rid of Militao and Lucas Vázquez, the absence of Mbappé against Nice did a lot of damage to the current runner-up in the French league, who was unable to beat the team coached by Christophe Gaultier, despite the presence of Neymar and Messi on the green, and experienced his fifth defeat of the season in a game in which Pochettino introduced several novelties with the fight against Real Madrid in mind.

Therefore, in Paris the concern about the French star is maximum. Despite the fact that the first medical examination he underwent was “reassuring”, the French international will carry out one last test this Tuesday on the pitch at the Bernabéu before making a final decision.

Mbappé has recorded 24 goals and 14 assists in the 34 games he has played so far this season. He is PSG’s top scorer and has scored 5 of the 14 goals scored by the Parisian team in this edition of the Champions League. Despite the arrival of Messi in the summer, the attack of the whole of the city of light continues to pivot on the overflow, verticality and the enormous punch of a striker who makes the difference with his speed and physical exuberance.

Some qualities that Real Madrid suffered in its own flesh in the Parque de los Príncipes. Mbappé repeatedly challenged Carvajal, who was unable to hold the attacker, despite constant help from Militao. The French international was the undisputed star of a confrontation in which he registered seven shots, four of them on goal. In addition, he completed four dribbles and had an 87% passing accuracy, resolving the clash in the last action, when the Whites were close to equalizing despite the clear superiority of their opponent.

Morbid in suspense

To be in the quarterfinals of their fetish competition, Carlo Ancelotti’s team needs to overcome that 1-0 loss in the first leg. In Valdebebas they have conspired to lift the tie, but they are aware that PSG’s potential will be considerably greater if Mbappé can be available. If he did not arrive on time, Pochettino would draw an attack with Di María, Messi and Neymar that would be the envy of any team, but that would go down several steps without one of the fittest strikers in Europe and that he would jump unmotivated to the Bernabéu, where they yearn for be able to count on their services from June 30.

Florentino Pérez launched an ordago last summer, when he offered 200 million euros for a footballer who was heading into his last year of contract. The offensive of the president of Real Madrid was useless because Nasser Al-Khelaïfi was closed in band.

Since then, PSG has redoubled the pressure for the Parisian star to renew and the French press revealed last week a proposal that contemplated a contract for two seasons, at a rate of 50 million euros net per year, plus a loyalty bonus from other 100 million. But Mbappé, courted by Real Madrid since 2017, continues to drag on. The contest of him or not at the Bernabéu, where a Sergio Ramos who still does not raise his head will not be, will largely depend on the morbidity of the resolution of the star clash of the Champions League round of 16 and who knows if the sign of him.