03 October 2023 , 19:07
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Kylian Mbappe requested a pair of gloves because St James’ Park was too cold for him on Tuesday night.
Despite the Tyneside temperature being a balmy 13C as Paris Saint-Germain jogged out to train on the pitch, Mbappe felt the chill. Mbappe will lead the charge for PSG in Newcastle ’s first Champions League game at home for 20 years.
But he wasn’t happy with the Autumn temperature as he surveyed the stadium and got ready for a gentle warm up, at first emerging without gloves. The 24-year-old quickly summoned some hand-warmers.
It is not the first time Mbappe has reacted to Newcastle’s reputation for being chilly. When team-mate Antoine Griezmann signed him for his Football Manager team, Mbappe was filmed saying: “Newcastle? It’s not very warm there, eh?”
Meanwhile, PSG boss Luis Enrique has warned Newcastle are “the complete team, no one wanted” to draw. The Spanish head coach recalled playing against Newcastle 26 years ago in one of their greatest European nights.
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A Tino Asprilla Champions League hat-trick gave United a 3-0 lead against Barcelona in 1997, and Enrique scored as the Geordies held on to win 3-2. He has given his PSG players a taste of what to expect from the Geordie crowd and spoke highly of the Newcastle team.
Enrique said: “It was a really tough game… 26 years ago is a lifetime ago! It is true I scored it. It finished 3-2 with some great Newcastle players. So I know here the atmosphere is great, a great crowd and it wasn't an easy evening back then… and it won’t be tomorrow.
Kylian Mbappe trained in gloves in Newcastle (FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)“Newcastle are the team from the fourth pot who no one wanted, very quick, good in possession and off the ball. They are a complete football team. And then they are in front of their own very passionate supporters and that will help them.
“No one wants to play them because we saw how well they did last season. It is a hostile place from a sporting view. It is a spectacular place to play. It will be good to see what my team are made of. I am envious of my players because they get to experience that first hand."
Asked if star man Mbappe was fit he replied: “Yes, 100 percent.”
PSG star Lucas Hernandez’ brother Theo played against Newcastle for Milan two weeks ago in the San Siro. Lucas said: “He told me they are very solid. Milan created a lot but didn;t take their chances. Solid compact, counter attacking, quick going forward. I didn’t go into the individual players. Main message was [that] they are solid.
“They have a great stadium and brilliant supporters. We have to play quick and aggressive so we have to be focused. We will get chances to score. We love these games with intensity. Newcastle can’t wait to get out there too, it is 20 years since they were at this level at home.
“We realise it is a special game for them. But we have to manage the game, control the match, they will come at us at the beginning , quick out of the traps. I have played in Germany and Spain where the fans play a big role for their team.”