Paris Saint-Germain’s coach, Luis Enrique, appeared hesitant to discuss Kylian Mbappé, the star striker, ahead of the Champions League clash with Real Sociedad. Mbappé has been dealing with a sore left ankle and was not used in Saturday’s league game against Lille. When asked if Mbappé was prepared to start against Sociedad in their last-16 contest, Enrique tersely replied “Yes” during the pre-match news conference. He added that Mbappé could have played in the previous game if it were a final, but it wasn’t worth the risk since it wasn’t.
Mbappé’s contract with PSG ends in June, and he hasn’t indicated whether he’ll stay, with reports heavily linking him to a move to Real Madrid, a long-time suitor.
Enrique was asked if Wednesday’s match at Parc des Princes could potentially be Mbappé’s last home game for PSG in the Champions League, given the possibility that Sociedad might eliminate them. He flatly replied that he didn’t view it that way.
Despite PSG’s commanding lead in the French league and Sociedad’s lower standing in the Spanish league, Enrique refrained from making predictions about the match’s outcome, emphasizing that the favorite needs to prove themselves on the field.
Enrique may be intentionally trying to relieve some pressure from his players, given PSG’s disappointing record in the Champions League. Despite their significant investments in star players, PSG has been eliminated from the last 16 of the Champions League five times in the past seven seasons.
Enrique aims to alter his players’ mindset, advocating for a relaxed approach rather than succumbing to pressure. The current squad appears more modest, expressing a desire to win the Champions League but not feeling obligated or pressured to do so.
PSG’s Spanish midfielder, Fabian Ruiz, characterized Sociedad as a tactically astute and strong team, while Enrique praised the work of Sociedad’s coach, Imanol Alguacil, who has been in charge since 2018.
Despite PSG’s occasional setbacks in the group stage, and Sociedad’s impressive performance topping their group ahead of Inter Milan, Enrique acknowledged Sociedad as a formidable opponent, emphasizing their defensive solidity and stating that they won’t be giving PSG any advantages.