The knockout stages are Kylian Mbappé territory. Two of the great shows in the career of Parisian talent came in this round. In the 2016-17 Champions League, an 18-year-old teenager, who had barely played 25 minutes in the top continental competition, appeared for Monaco at the Etihad scoring in the defeat (5-3) against Manchester City.
On the return leg, in the Principality, he opened the way with his target to the comeback and the quarterfinal qualification for Leonardo Jardim’s team (3-1). Pep Guardiola had never lost in the round of 16 in the tournament – nor has he lost again in that round – and he did it for the goals of a Mbappé that he scored in the first leg and in the second leg. “They have a forward with a great future,” said the coach, who was captivated by Kylian: “He is young and has the football planet at his feet. He has already been a world champion.”
A star who sewed to his chest in Russia in 2018 with great games like the round of 16 against Argentina. In Kazan, lightning struck Albiceleste (4-3). Leo Messi and company succumbed to a Mbappé who signed a double and left a career in history. In his field, 60 meters from the rival goal, he caught the ball and was leaving rivals behind with power until Rojo knocked him down inside the area. A penalty that Griezmann transformed. Argentina came back but Kylian, with his two goals, put things in their place and gave France the pass.
The planet compared him to Ronaldo Nazario. “He is not the same type of player. Ronaldo played in the middle and was capable of enormous accelerations with the ball on his foot. Kylian runs faster, needs more spaces. Although he can play ‘9’, he tends to go more to the band. I am happy that it is French. He has a lot of room for improvement, but in such an important game he has shown all his talent. And although he has had to defend, that has not prevented him from attacking, “said Deschamps.
Bucharest awaits the first target in the Mbappé Eurocup. “The tournament is not over and I don’t think it is a problem for Kylian not to have scored yet. The most important thing is that he creates chances and works for the team. It won’t take long to score,” confessed Presnel Kimpembe before the round of 16 against Switzerland .
Antoine Griezmann -a goal to Hungary- and Karim Benzema – double to Portugal– They have already left their scoring stamp in this European Championship. Mbappé, who caused the penalty that the RealMadrid striker scored against Portugal, seeks to make his debut against a Swiss team that has never passed this round in a Euro.
“We have to go beyond our limit and give 120% of ourselves and trust that France does not give its 100%“, said the coach Vladimir Petkovic. France, runner-up in the Euro and world champion, has two draws in a row. They cannot fail in the second round. Mbappé, it’s your turn.
The casualties accumulate to Didier Deschamps. As confirmed in the previous one, he will not be able to count on Jules Koundé, Marcus Thuram and Lucas Digne for the match against Switzerland. The loss of the left side of Everton is more than sensitive since Lucas Hernández is ‘touched’. The Bayern winger had to leave the game against Portugal at half-time due to a knee injury. In principle, he will be able to play … but Deschamps has worked with a defense of three centrals in anticipation that the former Atlético is not 100%.