Much of the focus for Paris Saint-Germain from now until its UEFA Champions League bout against Atalanta has shifted over to Kylian Mbappe’s health. The Frenchman suffered an ankle sprain injury during the Coupe de France final and is currently sidelined for three weeks.
Mbappe’s status for the contest against the Serie A side is still up in the air. But one former PSG talent hopes that the versatile forward will be available and fit for the season-defining fixture.
Former PSG and French national team midfielder Laurent Fournier spoke to French publication L’Equipe about Mbappe and just why the team needs his services in the Champions League.
“We must pray that Mbappe comes back to Bergamo [UCL fixture against Atalanta],” Fournier said. “If Paris wants to win the Champions League, I think it is essential.”
Fournier watched PSG’s performance against AS Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de France final, and it was all that he needed to see to make an assessment on just why the team so desperately needs him back soon.
“When we see the match against Saint-Etienne, as soon as he accelerates he is able to find depth – I will come back to that because it is essential for a team like Paris,” Fournier said. “Neymar looked for it but there was no player capable of taking the ball and making a difference. Icardi, Di Maria, it plays in the feet. Not in spaces.”
Fournier believes that if PSG can have its two superstar forwards against Atalanta, it should not have difficulty in the fixture.
“The Italians have played a lot of high-intensity matches in recent weeks, Paris only two,” Fournier said. “If Mbappe and Neymar are there, I think there will be no problem.”
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