Kylian Mbappe fires warning to Barcelona as Champions League showdown looms

Kylian Mbappe has warned Barcelona that he plans to stand up and take centre stage in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Mbappe bagged four goals against Barca across the two legs of 2020/21's last 16 and is hoping to get his hands on the Champions League trophy this season before leaving Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer, with Barca's rivals Real Madrid his expected destination.

«It's the time for great players,» Mbappe told. «I am ready and, as always, I am not going to hide.

»Seeing the dynamic we have, I'm sure we're going to give it our all, then the result… It's in God's hands. Like every year, we enter the crucial period of the season. At the end of April, we will already have elements to know what kind of season we will be able to have."

Mbappe heads into Wednesday's game feeling refreshed after once again being dropped to the bench for PSG's 1-1 draw with Clermont Foot on Sunday. The Frenchman set up Goncalo Ramos in the dying embers to snatch a point for Luis Enrique's side.

Stopping Mbappe will be the key challenge for Barcelona boss Xavi, but club vice-president Rafa Yuste recently insisted Barca have what it takes to get the job done.

«Barcelona can stop the attacks of Mbappe and PSG,» Yuste said. «Mbappe is a great player but we look at this as a team.

»Our defence conceded very few goals last season. We have to be very serious in both games and do the right things for the team."

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