Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said Tuesday he was "very happy" with star attacker Kylian Mbappe during a press conference on the eve of his side's French Cup semi-final clash with Rennes, as he downplayed rumours of a rift.
Paris Saint-Germain overcame a controversial first-half sending-off to win 2-0 away to bitter rivals Marseille in Ligue 1 on Sunday, with Portuguese duo Vitinha and Goncalo Ramos scoring their goals.
Vitinha put PSG ahead at the Stade de la Mosson and Mbappe doubled their advantage midway through the first half, only for an Arnaud Nordin header and a Teji Savanier penalty to bring Montpellier back level at the interval.
Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain were held to a 2-2 home draw by Reims on Sunday after PSG boss Luis Enrique benched top scorer Kylian Mbappe, who played only the last 20 minutes.
Spain's La Liga chief Javier Tebas believes it is almost certain that superstar striker Kylian Mbappe will be playing for Real Madrid next season, he told French daily L'Equipe in an interview published on Friday.
The victory opened a gap between Lyon and the relegation places.
Kylian Mbappe had a penalty brilliantly saved but was gifted the opening goal as champions Paris Saint-Germain edged energetic Strasbourg 2-1 away in Ligue 1 on Friday.
Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Friday that the often derided Saudi Pro League was "more competitive" than French Ligue 1.
"I was pleased with the whole match, I think my team is competitive each time and today was no exception," said PSG coach Luis Enrique.
His birthday was made even more memorable when his 16-year-old brother Ethan came on for his senior debut in stoppage time.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique predicted his new-look side will shift up a gear in February now that they have secured qualification for the knockout round of the Champions League.
Former Nice coach Christophe Galtier said Friday via his lawyers that the investigation into claims of harassment and discrimination made against him lacked "impartiality", as prosecutors asked he be handed a one-year suspended prison sentence.
Paris St Germain keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has been suspended for two matches over a high challenge that saw him sent off during Sunday's 2-0 win at Le Havre, the French league's governing body said on Wednesday.
"Monaco are a team on the same level as us and also aspire to win the league, so it is a good result," said PSG coach Luis Enrique
A clinical Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick as Paris Saint-Germain won 3-0 away to high-flying Reims on Saturday and moved to the top of the Ligue 1 table.
"It was difficult against a team that hadn't lost at home yet this season," said PSG's coach Luis Enrique.
Mbappe opened the scoring for PSG with a 10th-minute penalty and set up Carlos Soler to make it 2-0 just after the half-hour mark on a wet and windy day in Paris.
Pep Guardiola says Lionel Messi should have his own category at the Ballon d'Or but admitted the World Cup winner and Manchester City hotshot Erling Haaland would both be deserving winners of the prize.
"Throughout the match they were fresher than us," said Luis Enrique after his first loss as PSG coach.