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Kylian Mbappe Suspended 3 Matches After Red Card vs. Nimes

James Dudko@@JamesDudkoX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistSeptember 5, 2018

PSG's Kylian Mbappe reacts after missing a chance to score during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Angers at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)
Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Kylian Mbappe will miss three matches in Ligue 1 after being sent off during Paris Saint-Germain's 4-2 win over Nimes on Saturday. Mbappe received a red card after an altercation with midfielder Teji Savanier. 

Agence-France Presse (h/t beIN Sports) confirmed the 19-year-old forward will miss matches against Saint-Etienne, Rennes and Reims.

Ironically, Mbappe had put PSG 3-2 ahead in Nimes, finding the net six minutes after Savanier had scored from the penalty spot for the hosts. The flashpoint between the pair occurred deep into stoppage time, with Mbappe officially given his marching orders in the 94th minute.

Savanier, who also received a red card, hasn't escaped punishment after his reckless challenge instigated the altercation:

Jeremy Smith @jeremysmith98

Kylian Mbappe had received a three-match ban after his sending-off for pushing over Savanier after he hacked him down. Savanier has received a five-match ban (one suspended).

Mbappe's impending absence a significant blow for PSG, despite the league leaders' ample quality elsewhere along the forward line. Les Parisiens can call on Neymar and Edinson Cavani for goals and creativity, yet will still surely miss Mbappe's inspiration.

The teenage sensation has made a thrilling start to the new season:

OptaJean ⭐⭐ @OptaJean

6 - 🇫🇷French players involved in the most goals in the Top 5 European leagues this season: Kylian Mbappe - 6 (4 goals, 2 assists) Benjamin Mendy - 4 (4 assists) Florian Thauvin - 4 (3 goals, 1 assist) Karim Benzema - 4 (4 goals) Sada Thioub - 4 (2 goals, 2 assists) Bleus. https://t.co/doveP0qkOC

Mbappe's long stride, pace and coolness in front of goal have made him the focal point of Thomas Tuchel's team, as well as one of the brightest young stars in the game.

However, keeping his discipline is the next challenge Mbappe must master, according to ESPN FC's Julien Laurens: "It taught us that despite all his amazing talent, his supportive entourage, his feet on the ground and his intelligence, he is still only a teenager and sometimes it shows."

Get French Football News writers Adam White and Eric Devin also wrote in the Guardian that there is now a sense Mbappe can be jostled into losing his cool.

In fairness to the gifted attacker, early dismissals for violent conduct have hardly been in the norm so far in his young career:

Squawka Football @Squawka

Kylian Mbappé has been shown two red cards in his club career: 🔴 vs. Stade Rennais 🔴 vs. Nimes PSG still went on to win both games. https://t.co/Y5YSfD87KN

Even so, this latest incident may make Mbappe the object of special focus from both referees and streetwise opponents keen to examine his temperament under duress.

In the meantime, PSG may lean on some exciting youngsters, including 18-year-old Timothy Weah, to help offset the loss of their burgeoning superstar.