Kylian Mbappe was absent from Paris Saint-Germain training once again on Tuesday, as he continues to struggle with a throat infection ahead of a Champions League showdown against Borussia Dortmund.
The 21-year-old was unable to take part in a session on Monday due to illness, andGoal has learned that he is now a major doubt for Wednesday’s last-16 second-leg tie at Parc des Princes.
Mbappe played the full 90 minutes of PSG’s 2-1 first-leg defeat to Dortmund at Westfalenstadion, which was ultimately decided by a second-half brace from Erling Haaland.
The reigning Ligue 1 champions haven’t played since last week’s 5-1 win over Lyon in the semi-finals of the French Cup, during which Mbappe played a starring role with a superb hat-trick.
PSG were due to take in a trip to Strasbourg on Saturday, but the fixture was postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The COVID-19 crisis has caused huge disruptions to the world’s sporting calendar, with the Champions League now in danger of being postponed to contain the spread of the illness.
It has already been confirmed that no fans will be allowed entry into Parc des Princes in midweek, and Barcelona’s second-leg date with Napoli at Camp Nou on March 18 is also now set to be held behind closed doors.
PSG boss Thomas Tuchel has no other selection issues heading into the Dortmund contest, with Edinson Cavani returning for the team’s latest training session after leaving early on Monday for personal reasons.
Cavani will likely be asked to lead the line against Dortmund alongside Mauro Icardi and Neymar, who scored PSG’s away goal in the first leg.
Club captain Thiago Silva was also back in the fold after recovering from a hamstring injury which has kept him out of action since a 4-3 victory at home to Bordeaux on February 23.
After their latest European outing, PSG will switch their attention back to Ligue 1, with Nice set to arrive at Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Tuchel’s men currently hold a 12-point advantage over Marseille at the top of the table having played a game more, and are on course for a third successive title.
Paris Saint-Germain are sweating on the fitness of star striker Kylian Mbappe who has picked up a throat infection ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Borussia Dortmund.
The French World Cup star missed team training Monday and Tuesday and was reported to have a sore throat, with his club needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg in Germany three weeks ago.
Mbappe has scored six goals in his past three PSG matches, including a hat-trick in the 5-1 French Cup semi-final win over Lyon last week.
“We’re trying to see if he can train a bit tonight (Tuesday). We have to wait and decide tomorrow morning,” coach Thomas Tuchel told PSG TV.
Spanish international Pablo Sarabia is a possible replacement should Mbappe miss the game.
PSG lost 2-1 to an Erling Haaland-inspired Dortmund before a crowd of 80,000 in Germany last month, but the return leg will be played at an empty Parc des Princes due to the coronavirus outbreak.
“We’re a team that likes to attack, and we’re going to attack. We’re going to try and score as many goals as possible,” said Tuchel.
“But if the final score is 1-0 to us, I would be perfectly happy.”
PSG’s game away to Strasbourg at the weekend was postponed due to the extent of the virus outbreak in the Alsace region of eastern France.
“It was a shame (not to play). It continues to be a bit strange,” said Tuchel. “In a match like this one, it’s super important (to have fans) to create a special atmosphere, and to put pressure on our opponents.
“With the coronavirus news and Kylian Mbappe, that gives us lots of things to think about,” he added.
“But it’s a football match, we have to adapt. I’m confident in the fact we’ll be able to do it.”
Tuchel also said a decision on the fitness of captain Thiago Silva would be made on Wednesday. The Brazilian defender hasn’t played since injuring his thigh against Bordeaux on February 23.
