Stumbling PSG hope to rediscover form in depleted Ligue 1

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Paris (AFP) – Soon after the French league’s sputtering return with three top rated-flight matches postponed thanks to Covid-19, Paris Saint-Germain strategy this weekend without having Lionel Messi who is suffering the right after-results of the virus.
Other French clubs are depleted by absences at the Africa Cup of Nations.
PSG, who are also without the injured Neymar, host mid-desk Brest on Saturday trying to halt a slide in league form.
Due to the fact the get started of December, the Parisians have gained 1 and drawn five in the league.
Messi will overlook a 2nd consecutive match just after the 34-calendar year-aged admitted on Instagram: “It has taken me longer than I believed to be Alright.”
The Ballon d’Or holder ongoing: “But I am practically recovered and I am on the lookout ahead to acquiring back again on the field.”
PSG have postponed a wintertime coaching camp, owing to start on Sunday in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, “in look at of the overall health circumstance in France”.
They even now lead the league by 11 details and for next-area Great, computerized qualification for the Champions League remains a far more reasonable target.
They edge Marseille, who have a recreation in hand, on target difference and open the weekend’s motion on Friday at property to Nantes.
Pleasant won 3- at Brest last weekend even with missing three players who had examined optimistic for Covid-19 and participating in 70 minutes with 10 adult men right after Morgan Schneiderlin was despatched off.
Schneiderlin will be suspended and Mario Lemina and Youcef Atal are actively playing in Cameroon but Pleasant could remember their Covid scenarios.
“Will we be capable to depend on them on Friday, I do not know”, reported coach Christophe Galtier on Friday, echoing the uncertainty of numerous Ligue 1 coaches, nervously awaiting check benefits right before naming their squads.
Nantes are ninth, just two points behind fourth-placed Rennes.
They are with no four gamers who are enjoying in the Africa Cup of Nations but striker Jean-Kevin Augustin, a free-agent signing previous Oct who has been struggling with extensive Covid and has not played in Ligue 1 due to the fact final November returned to initial-team education this week.
Rennes have experienced two straight league losses and have been knocked out of the French Cup, but host a Bordeaux team in disaster on Sunday.
Soon after a 3rd straight league reduction left them one particular position over the relegation places, Bordeaux this 7 days dropped 3 players, including club captain Laurent Koscielny, from their 1st-group squad.
Right after their recreation last weekend was referred to as off simply because of a Covid outbreak at the club, base club Saint-Etienne make a belated begin to the year at property to sixth-position Lens continue to severely depleted.
“We previously have 5 players at the African Cup but we also experienced five circumstances of Covid-19 to lament and 3 will not be able to engage in in opposition to Lens,” coach Pascal Dupraz said.
Marseille convey the spherical to a near at property to champions Lille on Sunday.
A person to observe: Jonathan David
Europe’s wealthier golf equipment are unquestionably viewing Lille’s 21-calendar year-aged Canada striker. His 84th-minute winner in opposition to Bordeaux last 7 days was his league-foremost 12th of the year. He also has 3 in the Champions League. Even while Lille experience holders Chelsea in that level of competition in February, with their defence of the French title all but over, he could be a January target.
Key stat
5: selection of objectives PSG with their star-studded attack have totalled in their final 5 league video games
Fixtures (all times GMT)
Friday
Awesome v Nantes (2000)
Saturday
Saint-Etienne v Lens (1600), Paris Saint-Germain v Brest (2000)
Sunday
Rennes v Bordeaux (1200), Lorient v Angers, Monaco v Clermont, Reims v Metz, Strasbourg v Montpellier (all 1400), Troyes v Lyon (1605), Marseille v Lille (1945)
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