KYLIAN MBAPPE has made an unusual request ahead of PSG’s clash with Newcastle.
The forward asked for a pair of gloves after he judged the Tyneside weather as being too cold for him during training ahead of PSG’s clash with Newcastle.
GettyKylian Mbappe requested gloves ahead of PSG’s clash with Newcastle[/caption]
Mbappe initially emerged gloveless but ran back in to grab a pair after feeling the chill.
It was a mild 13C for PSG’s session at St James’ Park ahead of the Group F clash.
Tonight’s game will be Newcastle’s first home Champions League fixture in 20 years and the atmosphere is bound to be raucous at St James’.
Mbappe has previously commented on Tyneside’s reputation for cold weather after Antoine Griezmann managed them on Football Manager and signed Mbappe on the game.
When Griezmann told him, he said: “Newcastle? It’s not very warm there, eh?”
PSG manager Luis Enrique was complimentary of his opponents ahead of tonight’s tie, saying Newcastle are “the complete team” that “no one wanted” to draw.
He said: “Newcastle are the team from the fourth pot who no one wanted, very quick, good in possession and off the ball. They are a complete football team. And then they are in front of their own very passionate supporters and that will help them.
“No one wants to play them because we saw how well they did last season. It is a hostile place from a sporting view. It is a spectacular place to play.
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“It will be good to see what my team are made of. I am envious of my players because they get to experience that first hand.”
The Spaniard then recounted his own experience of playing at St James’ for Barcelona 26 years ago which Newcastle won 3-2 courtesy of a Tino Asprilla hat-trick and said: “It was a really tough game… 26 years ago is a lifetime ago! It is true I scored in it. It finished 3-2 with some great Newcastle players.
“So I know here the atmosphere is great, a great crowd and it wasn’t an easy evening back then… and it won’t be tomorrow.”