Mbappe and Neymar enjoy training as PSG look to bounce back - in pictures

Ligue 1 leaders take on relegation battlers Saint-Etienne on Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar (L) jokes with Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe during a training session at the Camp des Loges Paris Saint-Germain football club's training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye on February 25, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Paris Saint-Germain's players attend a training session at their training ground in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain forward Kylian Mbappe arrives for a training session at the Camp des Loges. AFP

Neymar, left, with Kylian Mbappe during training. AFP

Lionel Messi, right, during PSG's training session with Achraf Hakimi, left, and Kylian Mbappe. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain players attend a training session in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. AFP

From left, Paris Saint-Germain's forward Kylian Mbappe, defender Achraf Hakimi and Julian Draxler attend a training session> AFP

Kylian Mbappe, centre, trains on Friday. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain Marquinhos, left, trains in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. AFP

Kylian Mbappe, left, with Julian Draxler, centre, and Achraf Hakimi. AFP

Kylian Mbappe trains at the Camp des Loges. AFP

Lionel Messi trains in Saint-Germain-en-Laye on Friday. AFP

Kylian Mbappe trains on Friday. AFP

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, left, fights for the ball with forward Kylian Mbappe during training. AFP

Neymar, left, and Kylian Mbappe during a training session. AFP

Defender Achraf Hakimi controls the ball during PSG's training session. AFP

Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were enjoying themselves on Friday as Paris Saint-Germain prepared for Saturday's match against relegation battlers Saint-Etienne.

The mood was relaxed in Ligue 1 leaders PSG's training camp despite their shock 3-1 defeat at Nantes on Sunday.

Randal Kolo Muani gave the hosts an early lead before Lionel Messi was denied an equaliser by a fine save from Alban Lafont. Nantes doubled their lead through a fine strike by Quentin Merlin in the 16th minute.

Referee Mikael Lesage initially did not award a penalty for handball by Georginio Wijnaldum in stoppage time, only to take another look and point to the spot, with Ludovic Blas converting.

Neymar reduced the deficit just a couple of minutes after the restart when played in by Messi, but then saw his soft penalty saved after Mbappe had been brought down.

Even so, PSG will not be too worried as they remain 13 points clear of Marseille, who host Clermont on Sunday, after a first league defeat since early October while Nantes move to fifth.

On Saturday, Neymar could make his first start for PSG after two substitute appearances since recovering from a sprained left ankle. His team's loss at Nantes exposed flaws in midfield and defense that have been covered by Mbappe’s goals in several games. It was Mbappe, after all, who won them the Champions League round of 16 first leg against Real Madrid in stoppage time.