Since Kylian Mbappe went down with a thigh injury, all has not been well for PSG.
Christophe Galtier’s side have lost two games in a row in all competitions – the sort of form which is almost unheard of in the French capital – and there have even been rumours that the fate of the current squad hinges on whether they can advance past Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16.
Mbappe was initially ruled out for that game by PSG’s own medical staff but the Frenchman has since been included in the matchday squad, although just how big of a role he will actually play is yet to be decided.
For PSG, February began with a trip to Montpellier, the first 45 minutes of which were an absolute disaster for Galtier’s side.
Mbappe missed a penalty, and then missed the re-take that was eventually ordered, before limping off after just 21 minutes – shortly before Sergio Ramos followed him down the tunnel with a problem of his own.
The club’s medical report estimated Mbappe would miss three weeks of action, suggesting a return for the final week of February, but he has since returned to training and is back in PSG’s matchday squad ahead of schedule.
Galtier initially dismissed suggestions that PSG could be exaggerating the severity of Mbappe’s injury. Just how much he knew about the situation is unclear, but the boss has since changed his tune.
Discussing Mbappe’s potential involvement against Bayern, Galtier told the press: “He has just completed training the day before the match, his return after the session was good. We will wait until the morning to see how he is feeling.
“I will make the wisest decision. He will not be on the bench just to make up the numbers.”
Watch 90min’s TFP as Harry Symeou, Scott Saunders, Grizz Khan & Hunter Godson preview the upcoming Merseyside derby, reflect on Man Utd’s 2-2 draw with Leeds and much more. If you can’t see this embed, click here to watch the video!
It’s clear that Mbappe is ahead of schedule, but Galtier has stopped short of committing to an early return for the 24-year-old, whose involvement against Bayern is still up in the air.
For him the make the matchday squad, it seems as though Mbappe has inspired the confidence of the PSG staff and there’s reason to believe we’ll see him in the first leg against the German giants.
Mbappe may start on the bench against Bayern, but a return to the starting lineup against Lille at the weekend appears likely.
#Progress #potential #return #date #PSG