PSG coach Luis Enrique is doing something that seemed highly implausible just several weeks ago: he is not treating Kylian Mbappe as an untouchable player. Instead, the French superstar is having to deal with being substituted or left out – just like any other player. Of course, it all stems from Mbappe’s decision not to stay at Parc des Princes beyond this season.It was indeed by choice of Luis Enrique and not due to injury that Kylian Mbappe left the field at halftime of PSG’s goalless draw at Monaco on Friday night. Four days before the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Sociedad, the relationship between the coach and his striker is becoming less and less smooth.On February 15th, Kylian informed the PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi that he would leave the club at the end of his contract, which is at the end of the season. The end of one saga – and the beginning of another. Since then, the relationship between the player and his coach Luis Enrique, who decided to substitute him at Stade Louis II, seems to have deteriorated.🗣️ Luis Enrique au sujet de la sortie de Kylian Mbappé ce soir face à Monaco : “𝗧𝗼̂𝘁 𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗶𝗹 𝗻𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗰 𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀. 𝗢𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝘁 𝘀’𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗲𝗿 𝗮̀ 𝗰̧𝗮. (…) 𝗖’𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮 𝗱𝗲́𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.” pic.twitter.com/3TFDPaaSyO— Instant Foot ⚽️ (@lnstantFoot) March 1, 2024 An injury from Maripan’s tackle in the first half? Absolutely not. It was purely the coach’s choice. This was confirmed by Luis Enrique in the press conference afterwards.”Yes, it was 100% my decision. Sooner or later, we will have to get used to playing without Kylian. And as a coach, my goal is always to find what is best for the team, what I consider to be best for the team.” Annoyed by questions about his handling of Mbappe, the Spaniard lashed out at the present journalists.”I will not get into this game. I am a professional, and what I told your colleagues is what I will repeat until Real Sociedad. There is no problem, it’s simply managing a situation in the best way, the way I think is best. Nothing else.”In a relationship that seemed normal until then, February 15th and the revelation of this announced departure to the club’s leaders mark a rupture. It was the day after Mbappe confirmed his decision to leave to his teammates. Since then, he has been treated as just another player in the PSG ranks by Luis Enrique and his staff: a substitute against Nantes, replaced against Rennes in the 64th minute, and now this Friday at halftime against Monaco… before the internal announcement of his departure, there was his non-substitution against Lille, but that was due to physical precaution after receiving a knock in the previous match. This time, Luis Enrique has taken his management to another level.##NAJAVA_MECA_7918311##What drives him to make these decisions? It is difficult to determine Luis Enrique’s real intentions, as he advocates for the team, the collective, and equality of treatment for everyone. Elusive, the Spanish coach wants to prepare his team “as best as possible,” as he keeps repeating? A position that would be unassailable. If Paris didn’t have a high-stakes end of the season with a place in the Champions League quarter-finals to aim for. Was he disappointed by his decision? Is there something else we don’t know? There is still uncertainty in Luis Enrique’s management of Kylian Mbappe.After the match in Monaco, the former Barcelona coach also emphasized the second half of his players, which he found “much better” in the game. Without Kylian Mbappe, therefore. The Spaniard also highlighted the similarities he perceived between Monaco and Real Sociedad, where PSG will play on Tuesday in the Champions League round of 16 second leg. Could he go as far as to start without Mbappe on Tuesday? That would be surprising. But nothing seems impossible in this matter.Luis Enrique has been showing Kylian Mbappé who is boss since the announcement he’s leaving PSG:➡️ Started on the bench vs. Nantes➡️ Taken off at 1-0 down vs. Rennes➡️ Subbed off at half time vs. Monaco pic.twitter.com/JWjY8LiKRT— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) March 2, 2024 The player himself does not seem affected. After the match against Rennes last Sunday, those who encountered him mentioned the image of a calm player who revealed nothing. Even though it is difficult to imagine that he is not affected at all, he is a fierce competitor who wants to play whenever he can. This Friday night in Monaco, he had a smile: a very genuine smile, captured several times by TV cameras in the corridors as well as in the stands alongside his mother and agent.In the camp of the captain of the French team, they reject any controversy by explaining that they respect the coach’s choices and that Kylian is fully focused on the trip to Real Sociedad. On Tuesday night, PSG players will face the pressure of the Champions League. With or without Kylian Mbappe in the starting eleven, only Luis Enrique knows.LIGUE 1Friday Monaco – Paris Saint-Germain 0-0 Saturday 19.00: (2.75) Reims (3.20) Lille (2.65)23.00: (4.10) Clermont (3.50) Olympique Marseille (1.90)Sunday 15.00: (3.40) Toulouse (3.30) Nice (2.35)17.00: (1.63) Brest (3.80) Le Havre (5.70)17.00: (2.10) Montpellier (3.40) Strasbourg (3.60)17.00: (1.85) Nantes (3.45) Metz (4.50)19.05: (1.45) Rennes (4.70) Lorient (8.00)***odds are subject to change
