Kylian Mbappe, the prolific forward for Paris Saint-Germain, started from the bench during Luis Enrique’s side recent clash against Clermont Foot, a team with one of the weakest defenses in the league.
Despite being PSG’s all-time leading scorer and the top scorer in the league with 24 goals, it looked like a fixture he would relish to get his name on the score sheet but Mbappe was left out of the starting lineup by coach Luis Enrique.
Instead, young talent Senny Mayulu was given the nod on the left wing, Goncalo Ramos leading the attack, while Randal Kolo Muani occupied the right wing.
Mbappe’s absence was very evident in the opening minutes of the first half as Clermont took the lead through Habib Keita, on the 32 minute as the visitors looked to upset the host, leaving Paris Saint Germain trailing behind at halftime.
However, the introduction of Kylian Mbappe for the ineffective Randal Kolo Muani in the second half injected new life into the team.
It was Mbappe’s assist that led to Ramos’s equalizing goal, salvaging a point for PSG in a hard-fought encounter.
Kylian Mbappe in heated exchanges with Luis Enrique
Yet, Mbappe’s frustration was evident after the game as he engaged in a heated discussion with coach Luis Enrique.
This isn’t the first time Mbappe has found himself at loggerheads with Enrique’s decisions.
In recent weeks, he has been substituted or left out of crucial matches, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.
Mbappe was substituted at halftime away to high-flying Monaco on March 1 with the score 0-0.
Last Sunday, the France striker could not believe it when Enrique took him off against Marseille midway through the second half.
An audacious moved by Luis Enrique, dropping Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe was not the only one stunned by the audacity of Enrique’s move.
To some PSG fans, it was akin to sacrilege to substitute PSG’s best player in a match against its arch-foe, even more so with the score delicately poised at 1-0 and with PSG already a player down following a sending-off.
Enrique, however, remains steadfast in his decisions, prioritizing Paris Saint Germain’s upcoming Champions League clash against Barcelona.
Despite criticism and speculation surrounding Mbappe’s future at the club, Enrique’s strategy has yielded positive results.
PSG’s unbeaten streak and success in both domestic and European competitions attest to Enrique’s tactical acumen and authority.
Also, the French forward seems to be more involved when he’s been substituted or given a rest as he has shone on European stages evidently with his goals against Real Sociedad and Rennes after such occasions.
Kylian Mbappe’s future
As Mbappe’s time at PSG appears to be nearing its end, tensions between him and the club’s management have escalated.
The once-unwavering support from fans has waned, signaling a potential rift between Kylian Mbappe and his hometown club.
While Mbappe strives to leave a lasting legacy at Paris Saint Germain before his departure, the strained relationship with Enrique and sections of the fanbase casts a shadow over his final season at the club.
