Kylian Mbappe could start for PSG against Leipzig, says Thomas Tuchel

PSG coach says French striker suffered no adverse reaction to ankle injury in Champions League win over Atalanta

Paris Saint Germain's Neymar (L) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe during the Champions League quarter final win over Atalanta. EPA

Neymar (L) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe. EPA

PSG's Neymar, left, celebrates with teammate PSG's Kylian Mbappe after the win. AP

Atalanta's Marten de Roon looks dejected after Paris St Germain's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored thei second goal. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar celebrates after winning the Champions League quarter final. EPA

PSG's Marquinhos (C) celebrates with Thilo Kehrer (R) after scoring the equaliser. EPA

Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scores the winning goal for PSG. EPA

PSG head coach Thomas Tuchel (L) celebrates with captain Thiago Silva. EPA

Thomas Tuchel (R) celebrates with Kylian Mbappe. EPA

Paris St Germain's Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Neymar celebrate after the match. Reuters

Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League hopes were given a boost on Monday with manager Thomas Tuchel telling reporters striker Kylian Mbappe could start against RB Leipzig.

The French forward came off the bench for the last 30 minutes against Atalanta last week to set up the injury-time winner for Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.

Mbappe, 21, had been suffering with an ankle injury sustained in the French Cup final on July 24, but Tuchel said the 2018 World Cup winner had suffered no reaction.

Asked whether Mbappe could start in attack alongside Brazilian Neymar, Tuchel said: "Yes, he played 30 minutes against Atalanta and had no problems with his ankle.

"Since then he has had six days to recover, he will train and if there is the possibility for him to start we will see if can play the 90 minutes. We'll decide if it starts or if he comes into play [from the bench]," he added.

Mbappe's introduction shifted the momentum against the Italians with PSG trailing by a goal before two late strikes booked their place in the last four.

Until the 21-year-old injected speed and invention into the left side, Neymar had carried the responsibility for the PSG attacks on his shoulders.

Tuchel said the Brazilian's performance had shown qualities that are not always acknowledged.

“Since I arrived he has always been a leader. A different leader, not as everyone understands him, but with his qualities, his confidence, his courage in the field, his will to win. He loves competition and you need that to be a leader," he said.

"We also created a group with players like Ander Herrera, Pablo Sarabia, Keylor Navas and others, guys who know very well how to live together, created a collective atmosphere. Perhaps this is the key to seeing Neymar on another level," he said.

Pressure will be high on PSG, who had never previously reached this stage of the competition.

“We live in the present moment, we deserve to be here, we have had an extraordinary journey and season," Tuchel said.

"If we got this far, it's because we worked for several months, at the highest level. We are ready, we are hungry, but we do not think about the historical side, because we are in the semi-finals and we are there to win," the German added.