PSG’s most significant stars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe checked favorable for coronavirus. © AFP
Paris Saint-Germain resume Ligue 1 responsibilities on Thursday shorn of a clutch of their most valued coronavirus-quarantined stars and facing the challenging job of four video games in 11 days. The delayed season-opening trip to Lens could not have actually come at an even worse time for coach Thomas Tuchel and his gamers as they get rid of the hurt left by the Champions League last defeat to Bayern Munich COVID-19 has ripped the heart out of Tuchel’s side, with Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Angel Di Maria and Leandro Paredes testing positive.
PSG validated three more cases with L’Equipe determining them as Argentine striker Mauro Icardi, Brazilian protector Marquinhos and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Apart from Mbappe all of them contracted the infection after holidaying in Ibiza following the 1-0 loss in Lisbon last month.
Mbappe checked positive on France duty at the start of the week, forcing the world’s second most expensive player to remain Tuesday’s World Cup final rematch with Croatia.
Simply to complicate matters further, striker Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is out of contract, although the domestic press raise the possibility he may sign an extension.
Tuchel’s predicament was laid bare when at training on Monday he just had 11 players at his disposal, with others away on worldwide task.
PSG’s set up initially game versus Metz was pushed back due to their Champions League commitments. They then requested and were given a further delay to the start of their title defence to enable them to get over their European hangover.
Tuchel will be grateful a few of his absent guys will be returning from playing for their nations today, as PSG face a hectic return to domestic duties.
Waiting game
After Lens they host arch competitors Marseille at the Parc des Princes on Sunday, a clash the majority of the quarantined players are also expected to miss out on according to both sporting director Leonardo and Tuchel.
” After the vacations, after this quarantine phase without training, I’m under the impression this match on Sunday comes prematurely. We’re going to wait a bit,” Tuchel said Wednesday.
” Tomorrow (Thursday) we’re in Lens, I believe some players will be able to do a little specific session, and after perhaps 2 players will have the ability to return to training Friday while possibly two will return Saturday,” he added.
If given the infection all-clear they ought to be back in time for Metz in the house on September 16 and Good 4 days later on.
This all leaves Tuchel with a selection headache for the journey to northern France, switching midfielders Julian Draxler or Pablo Sarabia up into attack and counting on PSG’s pool of youngsters.
And in objective, with Navas out and Sergio Rico not available as he signed his contract after the original August 29 date for the fixture, Tuchel will have to contact 20- year-old Marcin Bulka who has played simply one first-team video game for the club.
Promoted
Captaining Tuchel’s mix and match team is likely to be Presnel Kimpembe following the departure of Thiago Silva to Chelsea.
PSG completed a sweep of the domestic prizes last term, winning Ligue 1 for the seventh time in 8 attempts in a season interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
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