Why Real Madrid-bound Mbappé was substituted at half-time as PSG star watches Monaco clash from stands | OneFootball

Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique has provided an insight into his decision to hook Kylian Mbappé from his side’s meeting with AS Monaco with just 45 minutes on the clock.

The name of frontman Mbappé, of course, has returned to the forefront of the headlines in France once more on Friday evening.

This comes owing to developments in PSG’s Ligue 1 meeting with the aforementioned Monaco.

The reigning French champions endured a frustrating evening all told, on their way to a goalless stalemate at the The Stade Louis II.

Mbappé, meanwhile, was afforded a starting berth, before being hauled off at the interval with his side in search of a decisive opener.

From here, the 25-year-old set tongues wagging, in taking his place in the stands alongside his mother, rather than on the visitors’ bench with his teammates.

Speaking to the media post-match, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his decision to hook his side’s chief attacking threat prematurely was put to PSG boss Luis Enrique.

And, in yet another hint at Mbappé’s imminent departure for Real Madrid, Enrique pointed towards the need for his side to ‘get used to’ playing without the contributions of one of world football’s standout performers.

“I have been in football for quite a long time,” the Spanish tactician began, as cited by Fabrizio Romano. “You must know that everything is important in this kind of club. Sooner or later we will play without Mbappé, we have to get used to that.”

Conor Laird | GSFN