Kylian Mbappe speaks to PSG coach Thomas Tuchel before leaving the pitch after being substituted against Montpellier in Paris recently. PIC/ AFP Thereu2019s nothing personal between Mbappe and me: PSG coach Tuchel Sai nt- Germain- en- Laye: Paris Saint- Germain coach Thomas Tuchel on Monday attempted to play down a touchline spat with Kylian Mbappe which overshadowed the French championsu2019 big weekend win over Montpellier.
u201c There is nothing personal between him and me. These things happen,u201d said Tuchel after Mbappe reacted angrily to being substituted midway through the second half of PSGu2019s 5- 0 victory at the Parc des Princes, with Mauro Icardi taking his place.
u201c It was between a player who does not want to come off, and a coach who had his reasons for doing something, and who wanted to give a game to players who deserved it.u201d After Saturdayu2019s match, Tuchel admitted that the reaction of Mbappe u201c doesnu2019t look goodu201d and pointed out that: u201c This is football, not tennis, and you have to respect everyone.u201d The World Cup winner, 21, who had scored his 14th league goal of the season in the victory, exchanged words with Tuchel as he came off, and then stormed to his seat on the bench, throwing away a training top in disgust.
Tuchel said he discussed the matter again at training on Sunday, with the player and with Leonardo, the clubu2019s sporting director. u201c I spoke about it yesterday with Leo, of course, and with the squad, as we generally do. But what I said will remain in the dressing room,u201d added Tuchel, speaking before PSG return to league action on Tuesday away to Nantes.
Returning to the incident, he added: u201c We had the game wrapped up, and it was a chance to take off Pablo [ Sarabia] and Kylian, and put on Mauro and u2018 Ediu2019 [ Cavani], who deserved to get some minutes.u201d With PSG returning to action in midweek, and also having a Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund looming ever closer on the horizon, Tuchel could also be excused for being less than impressed with Neymaru2019s latest off- field antics. The Brazilian organised a lavish celebration ahead of his 28th birthday at a Parisian nightclub in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower on Sunday.
AFP
