MbappÃ© has less than 3 weeks to recover for Atalanta game

Posted July 25, 2020 7:00 am

By JEROME PUGMIRE

PSG's Kylian Mbappe shouts in pain after being tackled during the French Cup soccer final match between Paris Saint Germain and Saint Etienne at Stade de France stadium, in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Friday July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

PARIS (AP) - Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian MbappÃ© has less than three weeks to recover from a heavily sprained ankle in order to face Atalanta in the Champions League quarterfinals.

PSG plays the free-scoring Italian side on Aug. 12 in Lisbon as part of the final eight's single-game knockout format, which ends with the final on Aug. 23. PSG is already without striker Edinson Cavani, who did not renew his contract when it expired at the end of June.

MbappÃ© limped off injured in the first half of a 1-0 win over Saint-Ã‰tienne in the French Cup final on Friday night, and watched the rest of the match from the bench with a brace on his foot. He left the Stade de France on crutches.

PSG said in a short statement on Saturday that MbappÃ©'s 'œserious right ankle sprain'ť will be reevaluated in three days after further tests.

Saint-Ã‰tienne center half LoÃ¯c Perrin was sent off in the 30th minute for clumsily hacking him down as he sprinted past, and MbappÃ©'s right ankle appeared to buckle under him.

'œIt just cracked a bit,'ť MbappÃ© told French President Emmanuel Macron after the final, as PSG players were about to collect their medals.

Perrin's foul was badly timed rather than malicious, and the veteran defender clearly looked worried when MbappÃ© writhed on the ground. He accompanied MbappÃ© as he walked off the field.

Saint-Ã‰tienne sent MbappÃ© its best wishes for a speedy recovery in a Tweet on Saturday, to which the France star responded positively.

But PSG coach Thomas Tuchel claimed the referee failed to protect his players and was angry with Saint-Ã‰tienne's approach.

'œWhoever sees a foul like that is worried. Of course I'm worried,'ť Tuchel said after the game. 'œIt's our third match against Saint-Ã‰tienne and the third red card they've received in the first 30 minutes. It's not because they're tired.'ť

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini also wished MbappÃ© well.

'œI sincerely hope it's not too serious, even if for the moment it appears to be so,'ť Gasperini said. 'œMbappÃ© is a fantastic player, world class.'ť

PSG can complete a domestic treble if it beats Lyon in the League Cup final on Friday.

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PSG's Kylian Mbappe walks using crutches after being injured after the French Cup soccer final match between Paris Saint Germain and Saint Etienne at Stade de France stadium, in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Friday July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

French President Emmanuel Macron, center, applauds as PSG's Kylian Mbappe, center left, walks past the trophy for the winners of the French Cup soccer final match between Paris Saint Germain and Saint Etienne at Stade de France stadium, in Saint Denis, north of Paris, Friday July 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) The Associated Press

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