07 March 2023 , 21:13
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Kylian Mbappe can expect an unpleasant night when Paris Saint-Germain take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, Thomas Muller has warned.
All eyes will be on the French superstar in the pick of the last-16 ties as PSG aim to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in February. Kingsley Coman scored the only goal at the Parc des Princes to give Bayern a significant advantage ahead of the return leg on Bavarian turf.
Mbappe, 24, was only fit enough to make a substitute appearance against the German giants, who also defeated them in the 2020 final. He has since returned to form emphatically, plundering five goals in three Ligue 1 appearances to leave Bayern manager Julian Nagelsmann sweating.
However, seasoned campaigner Muller, 33, is unfazed by the threat the former Monaco prodigy poses and declared Mbappe "won't have fun" if the six-time European champions implement their game plan effectively. "Kylian, by his profile, logically represents a danger," the German said in a pre-match press conference.
"He is the player who scores the most for PSG. We have to think about how to stop him, but this is a team sport. It's not a question of stopping one player. We have to reduce his space in the middle and we are brave enough to go one on one with him.
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"If he passes a first player, there will be another one behind. The whole world loves to watch him play football, but tomorrow we won't want to watch him. If our plan is effective, he won't have fun."
Who will reach the Champions League quarter-finals: Thomas Muller's Bayern Munich or Kylian Mbappe's Paris Saint-Germain? Have your say in the comments!
Kylian Mbappe is ready to start the second leg after playing just over half an hour in the first (Aurelien Meunier - PSG/PSG via Getty Images)As Muller alluded to, Mbappe is blessed with phenomenal pace and ability with the ball at his feet - qualities that have made him the most in-demand player in Europe in recent years. The World Cup winner has been heavily linked with Real Madrid throughout his time with PSG but signed a blockbuster three-year contract in May 2022 to end the uncertainty over his future.
Mbappe was asked whether his future at PSG beyond this season is dependent on success in the Champions League this season, starting with victory over Bayern. He responded cleverly by pointing to the fact his club have never been crowned European champions.
"If I linked my future to the Champions League, without wishing to show a lack of respect to the club, I would have left a long time ago," Mbappe said. "I don't think this match will have an impact. I am here and I am very happy to be here. I am not thinking about anything other than making PSG successful."