Despite their domestic successes, both sides have struggled in Europe’s elite competition, with Atletico suffering back-to-back defeats against Benfica and Lille, while PSG’s only win so far came on Matchday 1 against Girona

The team's recent 1-1 draw against PSV Eindhoven at home has raised concerns over familiar defensive vulnerabilities, as they no longer boast the star power of players like Kylian Mbappé and Neymar to clinch tightly contested games

PSG coach Luis Enrique revealed that the 27-year-old winger was left out due to disciplinary reasons, following reports of a heated exchange between the player and the manager after the team’s 3-1 victory over Rennes last Friday

After suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat at the Parc des Princes in the first leg, PSG rebounded spectacularly in the second leg, securing a 4-1 victory to eliminate the La Liga giants from the tournament

Despite the result, PSG manager Luis Enrique was cautious about reading too much into the victory, citing the complexities and uncertainties of the Champions League's new league-phase format

Bayern Munich, a perennial powerhouse, has consistently been a strong contender in the competition, while Manchester City, the defending champions, defeated PSG in the 2021 semi-finals

The dispute has led to a formal referral of the case to the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) legal committee, with both parties meeting for a two-hour hearing on Wednesday. The LFP has suggested mediation as a possible resolution, but this proposal has met resistance from Mbappé’s representatives

Mbappe, despite his undeniable talent, has not been immune to the team's struggles. His only goal this season came during the UEFA Super Cup—far from the desired impact in La Liga, where he is yet to score

The unpaid amount reportedly includes the final installment of a signing bonus worth €36 million gross, which was due in February, as well as his wages for the final three months of his contract—April, May, and June

After seven prolific seasons with PSG, where Mbappé cemented his status as a global superstar, he opted not to renew his contract, making him one of the most coveted free agents in football history

Despite fervent anticipation surrounding Mbappé's potential move to the Spanish giants, PSG has chosen to remain tight-lipped regarding the rationale behind his exclusion from the matchday squad

The match, held on Wednesday, not only saw PSG secure three crucial points but also dashed Nice's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League

Mbappe, in his pursuit of a breakthrough, saw his efforts denied by the crossbar, with Vitinha echoing the sentiment by rattling the woodwork yet again. Dortmund's resilience showcased a defensive masterclass

From the opening minutes of the game, PSG asserted their dominance with two quick goals, leaving Lyon reeling. A Nemanja Matic own goal, followed by a strike from Lucas Beraldo within the first six minutes, set the tone for PSG's relentless pursuit of victory