Kylian Mbappe will undoubtedly be the most awaited star on the side PSG in the match against Dortmund in the Champions League.

PSG is not sure how to continue when entering the last round of the Champions League group stage. Photo: Goal
The annual death moment of Paris St Germain in the Champions League has arrived, but this time came earlier than usual. As usual, the Ligue 1 champion will be in a difficult position around February or March and end with a bad result.

However, this season, tensions have emerged before the new year. Before the final round of the group stage, PSG was still not sure about the knock-out round. Their mission is very clear: defeating Dortmund – the team is sure to move on, to determine their own destiny. A draw or a defeat can also help PSG move on, but they have to depend on the outcome of the other match.

In any case, a group of many PSG stars should not fall into this situation. All current eyes will be on Kylian Mbappe, who is always expected whenever PSG is in a difficult position.

Despite all the rumors leaving, Mbappe is still a PSG player and the brightest star at Parc de Princes. And when there was still a contract with PSG, Kylian’s priority was to win the Champions League. In front of the French shot and his teammates was the task of passing the group stage.

Mbappe’s achievements in the Champions League create many different ideas. The statistics show that Mbappe at the age of 24, was one of the most successful players in the tournament. The former AS Monaco striker scored 43 goals, more than Wayne Rooney, Arjen Robben and Sergio Aguero, and on par with his former teammate Neymar. At the current rate, except for injury or sudden shooting, Mbappe can reach Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 140 goals at the tournament.

Mbappe does not play badly but is always ungainly with the Champions League playground. Photo: AFP
But the Champions League does not focus on goals but moments. Represented as what Steven Gerrard did in Istanbul, Zinedine Zidane in Glasgow or Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in Barcelona. However, Mbappe has never really achieved a standout in the Champions League since becoming a star.

Certainly, Mbappe’s goal against Man City while still in Monaco in 2017 is still remembered. Or the hat-trick against Barcelona in the 2020s round of 16 teams of the striker is not bad either. However, since then, Mbappe has not been able to shine so in the most important matches.

Much of Mbappe’s European playing field has so far been dominated by failures PSG. The fact that the French player rarely stepped back to defensive support was also the cause of those failures.

Rumors of Mbappe’s departure in the coming summer have grown recently. And so, if this was his last chance to bring success in Europe to PSG, things would not go well.

PSG began the relatively favorable Champions League season with a 2-0 victory over Dortmund. However, the mistake of choosing Luis Enrique’s 4-2-4 scheme caused PSG to lose to Newcastle 1-4 in the next round.

Since then, the form of the Ligue 1 champion at the Champions League playground has become erratic. They defeated AC Milan at home, before losing 1-2 in the second leg. In the penultimate round, PSG was lucky to have a 1-1 draw against Newcastle with Mbappe’s controversial goal.

All of that led PSG to enter the match against Dortmund with a difficult mind to ensure productivity continued. The Bundesliga representative was sure to pass the group stage but still yearned to win.

Mbappe has experienced too many bitter failures in the Champions League. Photo: AFP
Mbappe has repeatedly promised to bring PSG to glory in Europe. And so far, the French striker is still trying to make every effort to ensure that promise. Mbappe is in good form, scoring 18 goals in 19 matches in every arena, and the number of assists has also increased significantly.

However, Mbappe’s Champions League statistics are not entirely convincing. PSG’s vice captain scored 3 goals in 5 matches, including 2 goals from penalties. Big matches – away failures against Newcastle and Milan were one of Mbappe’s worst performances. He didn’t have any shots on target in St. James’ Park and almost lost his picture in San Siro.

PSG having to play in the Europa League will be unacceptable, despite the current reconstruction process. That would almost motivate Mbappe to leave. However, the responsibility will also rest with Mbappe himself, who has been favored by PSG throughout the years.

In short, if PSG fails in the Champions League, it is also a failure for Mbappe individuals.