PSG head coach Christophe Galtier was unimpressed by Julian Nagelsmann’s comments regarding Kylian Mbappé’s (24) injury. The French international striker is not expected to be available for the Champions League’s last 16 first tie between Les Parisiens and Bayern Munich following a thigh strain sustained against Montpellier last Wednesday. Mbappe is set for a 3-week spell on the sidelines. Nevertheless, the Bayern boss stated that he did not believe that the 24-year-old would miss such a season-defining game for PSG. “I don’t know what he is suffering from”, stated Nagelsmann. “What they communicated is a bit unclear. I’ll prepare for the game as if he’ll play it. Obviously, this can be a poker move.“
Speaking to Canal+ after his team defeated Toulouse at home, Galtier rubbished his German counterparts’ claims that Mbappe will be fit and firing on February 14th at the Parc des Princes against the Bavarians. “I don’t have to respond to him“, said the PSG head coach. “I read what he said, that’s all. Playing mind games ? That’s not our style, and not mine at all.” Should Mbappé miss three weeks’ worth of action – as expected – he will miss the Coupe de France last 16 tie against arch-rivals Olympique de Marseille this Wednesday, as well as crucial Ligue 1 ties against AS Monaco and Lille OSC. PSG face Marseille again in the league on February 26th, although by that time, the Monaco academy graduate may have made his return.
GFFN | Bastien Cheval