PSG handed huge fitness boost ahead of Bayern Munich Champions League clash

Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a huge fitness boost ahead of their Champions League last-16 clash with Bayern Munich as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi returned to light training at the weekend.

The French side initially claimed Mbappe would likely miss the game as a result of a thigh injury he picked up earlier this month, and his absence has coincided with a miserable run for PSG, who have lost their last two games in all competitions.

With a number of other stars, including Messi and Marco Verratti, also battling injuries, manager Christophe Galtier admitted he was ‘worried’ by the prospect of facing Bayern, in what could be a season-defining tie for the Parisians.

Fortunately, L’Equipe note that Mbappe was running out on grass on Sunday and even took part in a section of team training, putting him significantly ahead of schedule.

Messi and Verratti are also understood to have taken part in some form of team training as well, and Le Parisien go as far as to state that all three will make Galtier’s matchday squad for the Bayern game on Tuesday.

Just how involved the three will be is up for debate, although there appears to be confidence that Messi and Verratti will be ready to start.

Renato Sanches and Nordi Mukiele are therefore expected to be PSG’s only absentees for the game, which will also see Achraf Hakimi, Sergio Ramos, Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes return to contention for a starting role.

Reports in France have speculated that Galtier’s future at PSG rests on the team’s performance in this European tie, with the Champions League still the treasure that eludes them.