Luis Enrique has a few injury concernsLuis Enrique has a few injury concerns
Luis Enrique has a few injury concerns | Getty Images
PSG have a big day ahead of them as they prepare for their Champions League semi-final with Arsenal.
PSG are sweating on the availability of a key forward ahead of their clash with Arsenal, and it seems a decision will rest on key events on Tuesday. The Parisiens have had an interesting few weeks, losing each of their last two Ligue 1 games either side of a huge Champions League semi-final first leg win over Arsenal.
The French side were unbeaten until just over a week ago, and they had already secured the Ligue 1 title, but their invincible season has been lost, albeit arguably for a noble cause.
Luis Enrique came into the job knowing PSG’s biggest objective was to win their first-ever Champions League title, and so with the league title already sewn up, it is no surprise that they have prioritised the competition, particularly over the weekend when, with the invincible record already gone, they decided to rest a number of players ahead of Wednesday night’s second leg with Arsenal at Parc des Princes.
PSG also have some injury issues heading into the second leg, which is something they were not dealing with heading into the first leg. Presnel Kimpembe was ruled out for a few weeks after the first leg, and Ousmane Dembélé picked up a hamstring issue, but he did return to training on Monday, suggesting the first leg match-winner should be back, or at least in contention.
Elsewhere, forward Lee Kang-in has been struggling with a fresh issue, and L’Equipe say his participation in Wednesday’s fixture will come down to Tuesday’s training session. Lee will attempt to train as normal with the rest of the group, and the medical staff will then make a decision over whether he is fit enough to feature in the matchday squad come Wednesday. Lee has six goals and as many assists so far this season, but he is yet to register a goal or an assist in the Champions League to date.
PSG also have a concern with Lucas Hernandez, who left the Strasbourg game at half-time with what has been described as back pain.
Given the injury issues, Luis Enrique will surely be glad that he decided to rest a number of players over the weekend, and asked about that decision after the defeat, he said: “Each has its own way of managing its squad and its schedule. Arsenal's situation and ours are different. Everyone does what they think is best for their team; I don't have much to add. I don't know what's best. Mr. Arteta has his way of working, Mr. Luis Enrique has his. You have to adjust the matches according to the schedule. They had rest periods when we didn't. But everyone is looking to take advantage of their situation; there's no doubt about that.”
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