PSG’s Enrique: Substituting Mbappé at half-time ‘my decision’

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said it was “my decision” to replace Kylian Mbappe at half-time during his side's 0-0 draw at Monaco on Friday.

This is the second consecutive match that Mbappé has been withdrawn prematurely by Enrique, having been sent off in the 65th minute in a draw against Rennes last week.

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Speaking after Friday's match, which saw PSG move 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, Enrique reiterated that the team must prepare for life without the French star ahead of his announced departure this summer .

ESPN reported last month that Mbappé had informed PSG of his intention to leave when his contract expires after this season, and he remains in talks with Real Madrid, optimistic about the striker's arrival.

I've been in football for quite a long time, you have to know that everything is important in this kind of club,” Enrique told reporters. “Sooner or later we will play without Mbappé, so I am looking for the best option for the team.

“Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong. You have to get used to it [playing without Mbappé]. I will do what is best for my team. I don't want to create controversy, it's my decision.”

Enrique added that he was unaware that Mbappé had watched the second half from the stands alongside his mother, rather than from the PSG bench. The 25-year-old then joined his teammates on the pitch after the final whistle.

PSG trailed for much of the first half and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to thwart a handful of good Monaco chances.

However, neither team could break the deadlock, so PSG took a 12-point lead over Brest and 13 over Monaco. This is only the second time since September that PSG has failed to score.

“We had chances but we played better in the second half, we played the ball better than in the first but the draw is quite logical,” Enrique told Prime Video.

This is PSG's 19th league match unbeaten as they aim for a third consecutive Ligue 1 title.

PSG next play Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, where they hold a 2-0 lead.

Reporting from Julien Laurens of ESPN, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.