Mbappe Set to Return as PSG Battle Sadiq Umar’s Sociedad

Kylian Mbappe is set to return for Paris St-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at home to Real Sociedad tonight.

The 25-year-old France striker was an unused substitute for PSG’s 3-1 league win against Lille on Saturday.

PSG boss Luis Enrique chose to rest Mbappe for the game after he picked up an ankle injury in a French Cup win over Brest.

“Kylian Mbappe is available, just like the other players,” said Luis Enrique.

“When a team has a player like Kylian Mbappe, of course we know that the more he plays the better, because we all benefit from that.

“There is no doubt about it. He could have played (on Saturday) if it had been a final, but it wasn’t, it was not worth the risk.”

Mbappe has scored 20 league goals and three in the Champions League this season.

PSG go into the game against Sadiq Umar’s Sociedad with an 11 point lead in Ligue 1, while the Spanish side are seventh in La Liga.

However, PSG finished as runners-up in their Champions League group to reach the knockout stage, while Sociedad finished top of a group which included Inter Milan.

Umar was part of the Super Eagles squad at the just concluded AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire but left camp on the premise he was returning to Spain to treat a lingering injury.

He was however spotted training at his club barely 48 hours he left Abidjan, giving room to speculations the lanky striker was never really injured. He’s expected to be in Sociedad’s starting line up this evening.

RESULTS 

(Round of 16)

Copenhagen 1-3  Man City

Leipzig 0-1 Real Madrid

TODAY

PSG v Sociedad

Lazio v B’Munich