MONACO, MONACO – MARCH 1: Kylian Mbappe of PSG looks on from the tribune with his mother Fayza Lamari after being substituted at half time during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between AS Monaco (ASM) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Louis II on March 1, 2024 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has explained the surprise decision to withdraw Kylian Mbappe at halftime during their goalless draw against AS Monaco.
Mbappe took a knock after 27 minutes following a collision with Guillermo Maripán, but got up and carried on playing in the first half.
However, the Frenchman did not show up for the second period and was instead pictured sitting next to his mother in the stands for the rest of the game.
Read: PSG ‘Identify’ Three Possible Mbappe Replacements
PSG ended up having to settle for a goalless draw on the night, but Enrique stood by his decision to withdraw Mbappe, who is expected to leave at the end of the season.
“It was 100% the coach’s decision. Sooner or later we will have to get used to playing without Kylian Mbappe,’ Enrique said, as per Get Football News France.
“It is my decision and one that I take with the objective of doing the best for the team.”
When pressed further on the Mbappe issue, he added, “I’m not going to enter into this game. I’m a professional.
“I don’t have a problem. It’s just a question of management and how best to manage the squad.
“Three out of three; a hat-trick. Three questions on the same subject. Are we going to go for four.”
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