Football
Kylian Mbappe fires warning to Barcelona as Champions League showdown looms
Kylian Mbappe has warned Barcelona that he plans to stand up and take centre stage in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Mbappe bagged four goals against Barca across the two legs of 2020/21's last 16 and is hoping to get his hands on the Champions League trophy this season before leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, with Barca's rivals Real Madrid his expected destination.
"It's the time for great players," Mbappe told Telefoot. "I am ready and, as always, I am not going to hide.
"Seeing the dynamic we have, I'm sure we're going to give it our all, then the result... It's in God's hands. Like every year, we enter the crucial period of the season. At the end of April, we will already have elements to know what kind of season we will be able to have."
Mbappe heads into Wednesday's Game feeling refreshed after once again being dropped to the bench for PSG's 1-1 draw with Clermont Foot on Sunday. The Frenchman set up Goncalo Ramos in the dying embers to snatch a point for Luis Enrique's side.
Stopping Mbappe will be the key challenge for Barcelona boss Xavi, but club vice-president Rafa Yuste recently insisted Barca have what it takes to get the job done.
"Barcelona can stop the attacks of Mbappe and PSG," Yuste said. "Mbappe is a great player but we look at this as a team.
"Our defence conceded very few goals last season. We have to be very serious in both Games and do the right things for the team."
READ THE LATEST BARCELONA NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP
-
Football59m ago
Daizen Maeda’s Emotional Saturday Night Post to Celtic Fans
-
Football59m ago
Matt O’Riley’s Brilliant Saturday Night Celtic Message
-
Football1h ago
Liverpool ‘working for months’ on attacking signing – 20 y/o Spanish winger
-
Football1h ago
“We’re a long way off” – Ange Postecoglou’s verdict before Liverpool vs. Tottenham
-
Football1h ago
Real Madrid crowned La Liga champions as rivals Barcelona lose to Girona
-
Football1h ago
Liverpool cling to slim Premier League title hopes as Tottenham Hotspur's UCL dreams fade
-
Football2h ago
Celtic unity, Taylor pokes fun… Bhoys release unique angle footage vs Hearts
-
Football3h ago
Sevilla - Granada, en directo: LaLiga EA Sports hoy en vivo