{"id":559864,"date":"2020-07-27T13:07:37","date_gmt":"2020-07-27T17:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=559864"},"modified":"2020-07-27T13:07:37","modified_gmt":"2020-07-27T17:07:37","slug":"kylian-mbappe-injured-for-crucial-champions-league-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/27\/kylian-mbappe-injured-for-crucial-champions-league-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Kylian Mbappe Injured for Crucial Champions League Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kylian Mbappe<\/a> has been ruled out of action for three weeks, meaning he will miss Paris Saint-Germain\u2019s<\/a> Champions League quarter-final clash with Atalanta.<\/p>\n

The forward suffered an injury to his ankle during Friday\u2019s French Cup final<\/a> against Saint-Etienne. Thomas Tuchel\u2019s side claimed the trophy after Neymar scored the only goal of the game.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Kylian Mbappe Injured for PSG’s Champions League Clash With Atalanta<\/h2>\n

PSG Confirm Kylian Mbappe Injury<\/h3>\n

The Ligue 1 champions confirmed that “an ankle sprain with damage to the external ligament” had been suffered by the player.<\/p>\n

The club also added that Mbappe is \u201cexpected to be sidelined for approximately three weeks\u201d.<\/p>\n

Following the horror tackle by Saint-Etienne\u2019s Loic Perrin<\/a> \u2013 a challenge for which the defender was sent off \u2013 Mbappe left the pitch in tears and was pictured on crutches during the trophy celebration.<\/p>\n

This means that the expected three-week layoff is less than was originally feared.<\/p>\n

Fans Returning in France<\/h3>\n

Friday\u2019s cup final also saw the return of spectators in the stadium.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Champions League Tournament Format<\/h3>\n

PSG harbour ambitions of becoming champions of Europe for the very first time.<\/p>\n

Doing so would make them only the second French team to claim the European Cup, after Marseille in 1993.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s edition will conclude with an eight-team knockout tournament<\/a> in Lisbon. After getting past Borussia Dortmund in the last-16, PSG are among the favourites to win the competition this season.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>