PSG Stays In The Champions League, Kylian Mbappe Makes Peace With Coach Luis Enrique

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe is 'peace' with coach Luis Enrique. (X/@ChampionsLeague)

JAKARTA - Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe has denied fighting with coach Luis Enrique. Mbappe made peace with Enrique who never looked at the status of the players in his team.

Mbappe and Enrique tensions arose after the player was not included in PSG's core squad. Mbappe, whose contract expires at the end of this season, began to sit on the bench.

In the last three matches in Ligue 1 2023/2024, Mbappe no longer played fully. He sat on the bench and was then just fielded as a substitute when PSG won 2-0 over Nantes.

In the last two matches in domestic competitions, this 25-year-old player came on as a substitute.

Enrique stated that PSG had to forget Mbappe. He had to prepare a squad that remained solid and strong after Mbappe left.

Moreover, the club has not planned to find players who are projected to replace Mbappe. Although a number of candidates have emerged, such as Napoli strikers Victor Osimhen and Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), there is no certainty PSG will add players in the forward sector.

Meanwhile, Enrique did not look at the status of a star player. While handling AS Roma, he once reshuffled the prince Francesco Totti.

Enrique's attitude made Roma excited even though he was judged not to be wrong because he criticized Totti's performance. However, he did not last long in the Giallorossi.

Likewise when acting at Barcelona. Enrique once backed up Lionel Messi. Despite bringing Barca to a treble stage, Enrique did not last long.

However, Barca has never won a Champions League trophy since Enrique left it.

PSG actually did the same thing when Adrien Rabiot refused to renew his contract. He is no longer a starting player.

However, Mbappe is certainly different from Rabiot. This made Enrique change his decision and play Mbappe in full when PSG faced Real Sociedad in the second match of the last 16 of the 2023/2024 Champions League at the Reale Arena Stadium, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, early morning WIB.

This is the first time Mbappe has started since February 14, 2024. The French national team captain also proved that he made an important contribution to Les Parisiens.

He bought up two goals which brought PSG to a 2-1 win over Sociedad. PSG also won 4-1 on aggregate and qualified for the quarter-finals. PSG last reached the last eight since 2021.

Successfully bringing PSG to stay in the Champions League and return to play for 90 minutes, Mbappe stated that he had no problem with the coach. Mbappe denied that he was arguing with Enrique.

"I've always wanted to play in the Champions League. It's a very important competition. As a player, I can't hide my desire to play in the Champions League," said Mbappe.

"My relationship with the coach is very good. There are no problems like people think. I did face a number of problems, but not with the coach," he said again.

Meanwhile, Enrique gave his appreciation to Mbappe. According to him, the player will score many goals wherever he plays.

"He's the number one player right now. He's going to score 50 goals and make 25 assists with any coach and any team," said Enrique.

"His future is not here. I will find a solution by trying other players," he said.