Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti named in PSG's Champions League squad

Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti named in PSG’s 28-man travelling squad to Portugal for Champions League quarter-final against Atalanta as they receive big send-off from fans at the airport

  • Mbappe and Verratti both made PSG’s 28-man squad for Atalanta showdown
  • PSG jetted off to Portugal on Saturday ahead of Champions League finale
  • Striker Mbappe suffered a sprained ankle in French Cup final last month 
  • He may still only be fit enough to start on the bench in Lisbon on Wednesday
  • Midfielder Verratti is working his way back to fitness after a calf problem
  • Dozens of PSG fans gathered at the airport to send them on their way 

Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a major boost after both Kylian Mbappe and Marco Verratti made their squad for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final with Atalanta.

The French club were worried striker Mbappe wouldn’t be fit enough for the match in Lisbon after suffering an ankle sprain in the French Cup final against Saint-Etienne on July 24.

But despite initially being ruled out for three weeks, the France international has been included in Thomas Tuchel’s 28-man squad for the game.

Paris Saint-Germain fans gathered at the airport on Saturday morning to send their heroes off to Portugal for the final eight of the Champions League

Paris Saint-Germain fans gathered at the airport on Saturday morning to send their heroes off to Portugal for the final eight of the Champions League

The PSG squad applaud the fans who assembled at Paris-Le Bourget Airport to see them off

The PSG squad applaud the fans who assembled at Paris-Le Bourget Airport to see them off

PSG take on Italian side Atalanta in their quarter-final at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday

PSG take on Italian side Atalanta in their quarter-final at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday

PSG will face either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals if they defeat Atalanta

PSG will face either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals if they defeat Atalanta

However, Tuchel struck a note of caution about expecting Mbappe, who has scored 30 goals this season, to start against the Italian club.

‘The deadline is short, super short,’ Tuchel said this week. ‘We spoke with the doctor today and we decided to meet again on Saturday to see what phase he is in and if it is possible that he is on the bench against Atalanta. But I do not expect too much.’

Tuchel was also worried that Italian midfielder Verratti may not be fit enough after missing a friendly against Sochaux on Wednesday with a calf injury.

But he too made the squad for the Champions League quarter-final.

Mbappe sat out a friendly with Sochaux in midweek but has made the PSG squad

Mbappe sat out a friendly with Sochaux in midweek but has made the PSG squad 

The prolific striker suffered a sprained ankle in PSG's French Cup final win over Saint-Etienne

The prolific striker suffered a sprained ankle in PSG’s French Cup final win over Saint-Etienne

Mbappe left the ground on crutches after suffering the injury in the final on July 24

Mbappe left the ground on crutches after suffering the injury in the final on July 24

Marco Verratti is also fit enough to be named in the PSG squad for the Champions League

Marco Verratti is also fit enough to be named in the PSG squad for the Champions League

Neymar, Marquinhos, Angel Di Maria, Thiago Silva, Mauro Icardi, Thilo Kehrer and Presnel Kimpembe also made the squad having not featured against Sochaux.

However, Layvin Kurzawa will not be fit to face Atalanta because of a thigh problem.

The PSG squad were given a send-off by dozen of fans at Paris-Le Bourget Airport as they flew to Portugal on Saturday morning.

PSG will face either RB Leipzig or Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals if they can overcome the free-scoring Italian club at the Estadio da Luz.

PSG squad in full for Champions League quarter-final 

Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas, Sergio Rico, Marcin Bulka, Garissone Innocent

Defenders: Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe, Thilo Kehrer, Layvin Kurzawa, Colin Dagba, Juan Bernat, Mitchel Bakker, Abdou Diallo, Loic Mbe Soh, Timothee Pembele

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Idrissa Gueye, Julian Draxler, Ander Herrera, Marco Verratti, Kays Ruiz-Atil

Forwards: Pablo Sarabia, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria, Mauro Icardi, Arnaud Kalimuendo 

source: dailymail.co.uk