Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said it was “my decision” to replace Kylian Mbappe at half-time of his team's 0-0 draw in Monaco on Friday.
It was the second game in a row in which Mbappé was taken off early by Enrique, having been taken off in the 65th minute during a draw with Rennes last week.
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Speaking after Friday's game, which saw PSG move 12 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, Enrique reiterated that the team must prepare for life without the French star before his departure this summer.
ESPN reported last month that Mbappé had informed PSG of his intention to leave when his contract expires after this season, and remains in talks with Real Madrid, who are optimistic about signing the forward.
“I've been in football for a long time, you have to know that in this type of club everything is important,” Enrique told reporters. “Sooner rather than later we will play without Mbappé, so I am looking for the best option for the team.
“Sometimes I'm right, sometimes I'm wrong. We have to get used to it.” [playing without Mbappé]. I will do what is best for my team. “I don't want to create controversy, it's my decision.”
Enrique added that he did not know that Mbappé had watched the second half from the stands with his mother, and not from the PSG bench. The 25-year-old joined his teammates on the pitch after the final whistle.
PSG were on the defensive for much of the first half and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had to thwart a handful of good Monaco chances.
However, neither team was able to break the deadlock, so PSG moved 12 points ahead of Brest and 13 over Monaco. It was only the second time since September that PSG failed to score.
“We had opportunities, but we played better in the second half, we played the ball better than in the first, but the tie is quite logical,” Enrique told Prime Video.
It was PSG's 19th league game without defeat as they seek their third consecutive Ligue 1 title.
PSG will play Real Sociedad on Tuesday in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, where they have a 2-0 lead.
Reporting by ESPN's Julien Laurens, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
