FC Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain had Saturday matches heading into the UEFA Champions League second-leg clash on Wednesday at Allianz Arena.
Before Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga contest against VfB Stuttgart, manager Julian Nagelsmann was asked about the upcoming matchup, with the German giants having a 1-0 aggregate lead heading into the final 90 minutes.
“Of course, it’s an important game, we are in a good position, and we want to qualify,” Nagelsmann told reporters Saturday (h/t Canal Supporters). “Now Stuttgart [was] important because we are not 10 points ahead. The next match is always the most important.”
Additionally, Nagelsmann that veteran Sadio Mane will be part of the squad that hopes to maintain their advantage and move past PSG.
“He makes a good impression,” Nagelsmann continued. “We will try to give him more playing time. It was a serious injury and he hasn’t played for a long time. The plan against PSG has not been discussed in detail. But Sadio is part of the group.”
Kylian Mbappe will be the X-factor in the second leg. The 24-year-old changed the game in the first leg when he came onto the pitch in the second half and scored a goal, but it was called back due to an offside ruling.
Furthermore, the France international has been on a goal-scoring hot streak as he’s recorded two straight braces against Lille OSC and Olympique de Marseille heading into the match against FC Nantes on Saturday at the Parc des Princes.
If PSG hopes to advance past Bayern Munich and into the quarterfinals, it will likely be on the shoulders of Mbappe.
