Saint-Etienne Defender Reflects on the Infamous Tackle During the Coupe de France Final that Injured Mbappe

Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League hopes last season were almost dashed before the club even arrived in Portugal for the last eight knockout stage.

During PSG’s Coupe de France final fixture against AS Saint-Etienne, forward Kylian Mbappe suffered a serious ankle injury after being on the wrong end of a challenge. Saint-Etienne defender Loic Perrin attempted a sliding tackle on Mbappe to halt a quick transition but ended up taking the forward off of his feet. Perrin was given a red card, which became unfortunate for the veteran defender as it turned out to be the final game of his career.

In an interview with the French-based outlet Le Progres, Perrin revisited the tackle that essentially made him despised by PSG and a bulk of the team’s supporters. It was a difficult moment in Perrin’s career but was easier to get over after being reached out to by Mbappe’s father.

“I did not watch the comments on the networks,” Perrin said. “But of course, I was told about it. I had gone on a family vacation, it was the right time. And then it calmed down when Mbappé resumed and his father sent me a message. I made a tackle, as if it only happened to me.”

Fortunately for PSG, Mbappe only missed the team’s Coupe de la Ligue final against Olympique Lyonnais. He was able to return from the ankle injury in time to feature in the team’s Champions League knockout stage run.

At the least, it is comforting for both sides that they each have apparently moved on from the incident.

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

 

Tags AS Saint-Etienne Coupe de France Kylian Mbappé Loic Perrin
Follow Us