Rio Ferdinand commented on Kylian Mbappe’s ‘exceptional’ performance for Paris Saint-Germain.

Kylian Mbappe’s disappointing performance in Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund has raised concerns among pundits, including TNT Sports’ Rio Ferdinand. The French forward had several opportunities to score, with five shots, three of them on target, but failed to find the back of the net in the 1-0 loss.

This defeat means PSG will not be advancing to the final at Wembley, and it could potentially be Mbappe’s last European game for the club as he is rumored to be leaving this summer.

Ferdinand described Mbappe’s display as “unusual” and highlighted his lack of clinical finishing in crucial moments. He noted that Mbappe has a history of stepping up in big games, such as World Cup finals and important matches for PSG, but in this tie, he seemed subdued and unable to create good scoring opportunities for himself.

On the other hand, fellow pundit Owen Hargreaves argued that Dortmund’s defenders did a commendable job in limiting Mbappe’s impact on the game. He praised their ability to deny him space and prevent him from getting one-on-one situations. However, Ferdinand disagreed and believed that Mbappe had enough chances to make a difference in the tie.

Ferdinand also criticized PSG’s overall finishing throughout the two legs, stating that their lack of clinicality was their biggest downfall. He acknowledged Dortmund’s excellent defensive performance but emphasized that Mbappe had opportunities to change the game, particularly referencing a late volley chance that could have given PSG a lifeline.

Ultimately, Ferdinand gave credit to Dortmund for their magnificent display and praised their manager for the tactical setup that nullified Mbappe’s threat. He highlighted the contributions of the wide players who acted as both full-backs and attacking threats, as well as the impressive performance of the center-backs. Ferdinand concluded by commending the entire Dortmund team for their top-class performance.