Mbappe passes late fitness test, returns from injury vs. Bayern
Kylian Mbappe was tasked with making an impact off the bench for Paris Saint-Germain in Tuesday's much-anticipated Champions League last-16 encounter with Bayern Munich.
The forward was expected to miss the first leg after suffering a thigh injury earlier in February, but he returned to training ahead of schedule and was named among the substitutes. PSG head coach Christophe Galtier said he'd assess Mbappe's fitness Tuesday morning.
Mbappe appeared destined to lead the team to victory while in a cameo role - and he almost delivered. The 24-year-old converted from close range shortly after the match entered its final 10 minutes, but PSG's celebrations were cut short when video review determined Nuno Mendes was offside in the buildup.
Bayern won the first leg 1-0 at the Parc des Princes.
"We tried everything, I tried everything, but all I could do was what you saw," Mbappe said post-match.
Mbappe's exclusion from the starting lineup allowed Warren Zaire-Emery to become the youngest player to start a Champions League knockout match at just 16 years and 343 days old. He was withdrawn during the double substitution in the 57th minute, which marked Mbappe's introduction.
HEADLINES
- Winners and losers from Champions League's revamped opening round
- Who's in, who's out? How UCL league phase unfolded, and what comes next
- New signing Walker insists AC Milan headed in 'right direction'
- PSG sweat on Zaire-Emery's fitness for Champions League playoffs
- Latest news and rumors from the January transfer window