Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League confidence has been boosted as coach Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the possibility for their ace striker Kylian Mbappe to play in their Champions League quarter-final clash against Atalanta on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Thomas Tuchel has expressed his confidence of having Kylian Mbappe available for their Champions League quarter-final tie against Atlanta on Wednesday.
“If Kylian Mbappe does a good training on Tuesday, that all goes well and nothing special happens, he will be in the group on Wednesday,” Tuchel said before the training session on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.
Tuchel’s comments come as a surprise. The PSG coach and the management had earlier informed that the French striker was sidelined for three weeks and would be missing the match against Atlanta.
Tuchel, though, admitted that even if Mbappe gets back to the squad, it will be highly unlikely for him to start against the Italian team.
Mbappe, the World Cup winner with France in 2018, had suffered a horrific injury during their French Cup final against Saint-Etienne at the Stade de France last week.
The 21-year-old France international had limped off the ground after Loic Perrin’s strong tackle had left him suffering in pain. Perrin was immediately sent off but his tackle led to a huge spat between the players of both the teams.
PSG’s German coach had earlier said that they were preparing for the Atlanta match without Mbappe.
“This will have an important influence for us, but I hope that the solution will be found,” Tuchel told reporters ahead of Friday’s Coupe de la Ligue final against Lyon as quoted by Goal.com
Tuchel’s team is eyeing for its first semi-final appearance in the continental elite club competitions in 25 years. If PSG advance, they will play either Atletico Madrid or RB Leipzig in the semi-finals.