Lyon Manager Says the Absence of Mbappé is ‘Not Enough to Weaken’ PSG

It is all but inevitable that Paris Saint-Germain will officially rule out forward Kylian Mbappe for the Coupe de la Ligue final against Olympique Lyonnais later this week. The Frenchman suffered an ankle injury following a sliding tackle challenge from AS Saint-Etienne defender and team captain Loic Perrin during the Coupe de France final. Mbappe was subbed off following the challenge.

In his pre-match press conference (via RMC Sport), Lyon manager Rudi Garcia offered his best wishes to Mbappe.

“We hope that Kylian Mbappé will come back as soon as possible,” Garcia said.

Even with the likely absence of Mbappe, Garcia recognizes that this is still a strong PSG side. From its depth to its attacking players, Garcia knows that the reigning Ligue 1 champions will be a difficult team to take on for the final nonetheless.

“But if there is no Mbappe, there is Neymar,” Garcia said. “If there is no Neymar, there is Icardi. If there is no Icardi, there is Di Maria. This Paris Saint-Germain has a lot of very good players, the absence of a player is not enough to weaken [PSG].”

Lyon also has a pivotal UEFA Champions League knockout stage bout against Juventus next month, with the French side up 1-0 on aggregate. Coupled with the upcoming domestic cup final, Garcia hopes that his side can pull off both upsets.

“In the two games we are underdogs but we hope to defeat the predictions and come out on top,” Garcia said.

The Coupe de la Ligue final is set for July 31.

Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG TalkingThe 1970, and 24th & Parc. 

Tags Kylian Mbappé Olympique Lyonnais Rudi Garcia
Follow Us