PSG: Luis Enrique justifies himself after the exit of Kylian Mbappé

That’s where it all started for him. Back on the pitch at the Louis II stadium in Monaco this Friday evening with PSG, Kylian Mbappé must have recalled a slew of memories from his great Monegasque adventure. In addition to his reminiscences, the Bondynois also knew that it was the last time for a long time that he would set foot on the lawn of the Rocher club. Indeed, while his departure to Real Madrid is confirmed, as we revealed to you since January 7, KM7 was almost saying goodbye to a den that is dear to him.

In this sense, he was surely keen to put in an excellent performance against the Principality club. However, the 25-year-old striker’s first period was gloomy. Very little found, the captain of the France team did not weigh against the ASM defense and was credited with a small 4 by the FM editorial staff. At the end of the first act, Mbappé was even mowed down in the area by the Asemist defense. One of the last strong images of the first period of number 7 of PSG. Returning from the locker room, it was Achraf Hakimi who had the captain’s armband and Mbappé went to sit in the stands with his clan. From then on, the reasons for his exit were unclear to say the least.

Luis Enrique assumes his choices

Upon returning from the locker room, however, nothing seemed to indicate an injury to Kylian Mbappé. The latter, dressed again, even assured people present in the tunnel of the Monegasque jewel box that he was doing well, in images captured by the broadcaster Prime Video. So why did Luis Enrique release his best player? A stone’s throw from the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Sociedad, was the future Real Madrid player preserved? Smiling, the latter did not seem disturbed by the situation. Placed on the bench against Nantes and replaced in the 67th minute of play against Rennes, everything suggests that Kylian Mbappé has become an average player at PSG since the announcement of his departure from the group. Against the Bretons last week, Luis Enrique had already released an unequivocal statement on his winger: “sooner or later we have to learn to play without Kylian Mbappé.»

This Friday evening, the former Spain coach did it again by releasing a statement of the same ilk at the microphone of Prime Video : “I am surprised. I’ve spent enough time in football to know that everything is important at these kinds of clubs. Sooner or later, we will have to play without him. If it is linked to his future? I have to adapt the team to know how to play without him. My answer is this. Sooner or later he won’t be there anymore. We have to get used to this. I have to look for the best option for the team. I don’t want to argue. It’s my decision.» Asked again about this case at a press conference, the Iberian coach did it again: “explain my management of Kylian? I am not going to enter into this game. I am a professional and what I said to your colleagues is what I will repeat until Real Sociedad. There’s no problem, it’s just handling a situation the best way, the way I think is best. Nothing else.» One thing is certain, the situation has changed for Kylian Mbappé in the capital. A downgrade? Maybe not. But Luis Enrique will not give KM7 any gifts until he leaves for the other side of the Pyrenees. And the Spaniard will treat the top scorer in PSG history like any player in the Parisian squad.