PSG In Horror Injury Crisis Ahead Of Man United Match

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PSG In Horror Injury Crisis Ahead Of Man United Match

Thomas Tuchel has bemoaned Paris Saint-Germain’s injury crisis ahead of facing Manchester United in Champions League, claiming he may only have 11 players available for the contest.

PSG were drawn alongside United, RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir in the group stages of this season’s competition, having made it all the way to final last time around.

Tuchel’s men were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich in the showpiece, but are expected to be strong contenders for the trophy again after finally proving their mettle on the continental stage.

The French champions will open their latest Champions League campaign with a home fixture against United on Tuesday, where they will be aiming to exact revenge for a stunning round of 16 defeat to the Premier League giants in 2018-19.

PSG will warm up for that clash with a trip to Nimes in Ligue 1 this weekend, with Tuchel set to welcome several key members of his squad back into the fold following the international break.

However, the German head coach has now expressed fears that he will be unable to field a full-strength line-up in Europe as the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe recover from their exploits with Brazil and France, while Marqinhos, Julian Draxler, Colin Dagba have emerged as major doubts.

Tuchel also confirmed the absence of Thilo Kehrer, Juan Bernat and Mauro Icardi, telling a press conference on Thursday: “We have to take responsibility for Neymar and Kylian, who played almost 90 minutes yesterday, and the South Americans who have travelled a lot.

“Maybe we will only have 11, 12 or 13 players available.

“We have a bit of bad luck. Draxler and Marquinhos are doubtful for Manchester too. Colin Dagba had a positive [coronavirus test] with the U21s. In the event of a negative test, he can return to the group.

“Kehrer is injured for a few weeks. Bernat and Icardi are injured, Icardi, a week ago. It’s the internal ligament in the knee, it’s not too serious but he will miss Nimes and Manchester.”