The UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg fixture between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona is now less than a week away.
For PSG, plenty of questions remain regarding the injuries of several players. Star talents such as Neymar (adductor), Marco Verratti (foot), Angel Di Maria (thigh), and Alessandro Florenzi (adductor) all missed PSG’s Ligue 1 fixture against Bordeaux due to their respective injuries.
As noted by Le Parisien, here is how PSG could line up against Barcelona.
Navas; Florenzi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Kurzawa; Gueye, Paredes; Di Maria, Rafinha or Verratti, Mbappe; Icardi
While it seems like a longshot that Neymar will be available to face Barca, it looks more likely that PSG will have Verratti, Di Maria, and Florenzi all back for this showdown.
Leandro Paredes missed PSG’s fixture against Dijon, and he did not start against Bordeaux. If he goes on to receive playing time in PSG’s upcoming Coupe de France bout with Brest, it may signal a sign that he could go on to start against Barca.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino will have to once again shuffle his attacking setup. As mentioned, Neymar may not feature in this match, while Moise Kean is currently out of action due to a positive coronavirus test.
More so, PSG’s coaching staff sure will continue to closely monitor both Verratti and Di Maria. If the two are not deemed fit enough to start in this massive match, Pochettino may instead look to the likes of Rafinha, Pablo Sarabia, and Julian Draxler to help carry the attacking load upfront.
For now, PSG will now look ahead to its upcoming domestic cup fixture against Brest.
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