Alarm bells rang in Paris on Monday - Idris Gay stepped on Kylian Mbappe during training, and the young Frenchman could not continue training due to pain in his foot. The medical team reacted immediately, the French national team member was transferred for examinations, and the first findings were encouraging - no fractures.
It was speculated that Mbappe is a question mark for tonight's (21 p.m.) visit to Real in the second leg of the round of XNUMX of the Champions League, but the "Saints" player was included in the list of travelers to the Spanish capital.
However, it seems that until the start of the game it will not be known whether the starting line-up of the Parisians will include the player who masterfully solved the first match, played in mid-February in France (1:0). PSG was a much better opponent then, while Real did not threaten.
"We played the first game well, we were better and deservedly won. We took a big step towards the next stage, but it's not over," PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino said.
Real's goal in the second leg is clear - victory. Calculations do not exist, and if the away goal rule no longer applies, the Madrid players no longer have to worry so much about the conceded goal, which until last season was worth "double".
So any win by a goal difference would earn them extra time.
"In Paris, we didn't play the way we planned. We did not withstand their pressure, we had no chance in attack. Physically, we were not up to par and we worked on that aspect ahead of the second leg. In the second leg, we will have the opportunity to see Real's best game," said Real's coach, Karlo Ancelotti, in the announcement of the match.
The Italian commented on the eventual absence of Mbappe.
"We are preparing for the game as if Mbappe is going to play. I always hope that the players are not injured, whether it is my team or the opposing team. We are not only preparing for Mbappe - there is Neymar, Messi and other good players. We have to play intelligently and win".
Casemiro will not play because of the card, and the performance of Toni Kroos is questionable - Real could therefore be well weakened in the middle of the field.
"A player who is not at 100 percent cannot play. Cross will play if he is 100 percent ready. If it's 95 percent, then it won't," said Ancelotti.
In the shadow of the duel in Madrid, a match is being played in which everything is familiar. Manchester City welcomes Sporting from Lisbon at the Etihad. The English champion won 5:0 in the first match.
Guardiola is not counting on Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo, while Kevin de Bruyne is likely to be on the bench.
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