(FILES) This file photo taken on November 6, 2019 shows Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino clapping at the end of the UEFA Champions League Group B football match between Red Star Belgrade (Crvena Zvezda) and Tottenham Hotspur at the Rajko Mitic stadium in Belgrade. - Paris Saint-Germain have fired their coach Thomas Tuchel with former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino lined up as his replacement, according to various media reports on December 24, 2020. The French champions declined to make any comment when contacted by AFP to confirm the reports carried by L'Equipe newspaper and RMC and German tabloid Bild. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)
Mauricio Pochettino has spoken optimistically about Kylian Mbappe’s injury as regards his chances of making a full recovery ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League second leg semi final against Manchester City.
Mbappe missed PSG’s 2-1 victory over Lens in Ligue 1 on Saturday with a right calf injury.
Pochettino however believes his star Man will be fit enough to participate in the decisive game at the Etihad Stadium.
“Will Mbappe be there? I’m optimistic. We think he will be there,” the Argentine gaffer told Canal+ after the win which took PSG to the top of Ligue 1 on Saturday.
“We will see how it evolves tomorrow. We will decide before the match.”
Regarding his team’s task on Tuesday, Pochettino added: “We had to win today, and Tuesday [we have to] score two goals and not concede.
“The most important thing will be to win, more than playing good football. We’re going to give it a try and we’re focused on this City game and the tactics we should put in place.”
Pochettino said the forward suffered from “discomfort in his right calf” after the first leg against Man City, though he was unclear exactly when the injury had occurred.
“He received a blow that could have happened at any time during the match [against Man City],” Pochettino said at his Friday press conference.
“It can happen. It’s not a serious problem but it created a muscle imbalance in the calf.”
The France international is in the midst of another fantastic campaign as he continues to establish himself as one of the world’s best forwards.
Mbappe has scored 37 goals in 43 matches this season, including eight in 10 in the Champions League and 25 in 29 in Ligue 1.
Needing at least two goals on Tuesday, PSG will be desperately hoping for Mbappe to be fit to face the Premier League leaders.
Competitive racing was the order of the day at the TCS New York City Marathon…
A coaching team from Bundesliga club 1.FSV Mainz 05 visited Totalsport Safe-Hub in Alexandra for…
An NBA season packed with African talent and colourful courts is underway, with games available…
Victor Mokoena and his team in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park…
Rising Ethiopian marathon star, Abdisa Tola, and South Africa’s running great, Glenrose ‘Supercharger’ Xaba, created…
Zimbabwean Collin Kanyimo and British athlete Catherine Williamson took the trail honours in the 44km…