Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique was forced to field questions on Kylian Mbappe after the France superstar was withdrawn at half-time of the 0-0 draw with Monaco in Ligue 1 on Friday evening.
The Spanish coach suggested the decision was about getting used to life without Mbappe who said recently that he would not be extending his stay in the French capital.
Luis Enrique has said the decision to substitute Kylian Mbappe at half-time of Paris Saint-Germain’s 0-0 draw at Monaco was done for the good of the team.
Mbappe made little impact in the opening 45 minutes against his former club – he did receive treatment on an ankle after going down under challenge – and did not come out for the second half.
Shortly into the second period, Mbappe emerged from the tunnel at Stade Louis II and walked round the pitch, waving to fans, taking selfies and then heading to the stands rather than the dugout.
That his mother was in the stands, and he sat next to her, answered the question why he did not go into the dugout, but Enrique was forced to field questions about the player.
The decision to hook the France superstar at half-time comes at a time when he has indicated he will not extend his stay in Paris.
Enrique suggested adjusting to life without Mbappe was behind his decision to take him off, as opposed to any possible ankle injury.
“It’s 100% a coach’s decision,” the PSG coach said. “Sooner or later, we will have to get used to playing without Kylian. It’s a decision that I made with the aim of doing the best for the team.”
The questions continued to be centred on Mbappe, as Enrique was probed about never taking him off other than due to an injury.
“I’m not going to get into this game,” Enrique said. “I’m a professional, I don’t have a problem. It’s just a question of handling a situation that is best for the team.”
A further question on Mbappe prompted Enrique to reply: “Three questions, all on the same subject, it’s a hat-trick.”
While the draw did little damage to PSG’s Ligue 1 hopes – they hold a 12-point lead at the top of the table
It increased the pressure going into the second leg of a UEFA Champions League clash with Real Sociedad that they lead 2-0 from the first leg.
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