Kylian Mbappe has been ruled out of action for three weeks, meaning he will miss Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Atalanta.
The forward suffered an injury to his ankle during Friday’s French Cup final against Saint-Etienne. Thomas Tuchel’s side claimed the trophy after Neymar scored the only goal of the game.
Should they progress past the Italian outfit, PSG will play in the semi-final of the Champions League on 18 August. Mbappe could be in line to feature if he makes a full recovery.
Kylian Mbappe Injured for PSG’s Champions League Clash With Atalanta
PSG Confirm Kylian Mbappe Injury
The Ligue 1 champions confirmed that “an ankle sprain with damage to the external ligament” had been suffered by the player.
The club also added that Mbappe is “expected to be sidelined for approximately three weeks”.
Following the horror tackle by Saint-Etienne’s Loic Perrin – a challenge for which the defender was sent off – Mbappe left the pitch in tears and was pictured on crutches during the trophy celebration.
This means that the expected three-week layoff is less than was originally feared.
Fans Returning in France
Friday’s cup final also saw the return of spectators in the stadium.
Normally, the Stade de France houses 80,000 onlookers. Fewer than 5,000 were permitted for the game and were made to sit apart as strict health regulations were followed.
Though this led to an understandably muted audience, it still offers hope that a future return for packed out stadiums can happen without too many complications.
Champions League Tournament Format
PSG harbour ambitions of becoming champions of Europe for the very first time.
Doing so would make them only the second French team to claim the European Cup, after Marseille in 1993.
This year’s edition will conclude with an eight-team knockout tournament in Lisbon. After getting past Borussia Dortmund in the last-16, PSG are among the favourites to win the competition this season.
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