
Paris Saint-Germain are set to be without six first-team stars when they take on RB Leipzig in matchday 4 of the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Les Parisiens have been unfortunate with numerous injury concerns this term, but that has particularly hampered them in Europe, where they have endured a tough Champions League campaign.
Thomas Tuchel’s side had a great run to the final of the elite competition last term, but they now find themselves with the prospect of being ousted at the group stage itself.
The club are currently placed third in Group H and are trailing Manchester United and Leipzig by three points. Both sides were able to beat them 2-1 in the first group stage meeting.
Hence, they face a potentially must-win encounter against Leipzig at Parc des Princes or else, they could be dependent on the results of other teams including Istanbul Basaksehir to avoid a shock elimination in the group stage.
Over the course of the campaign, Tuchel has had to deal with multiple injury concerns and ahead of the Leipzig clash, it has been confirmed that as many as five players won’t feature.
Juan Bernat (knee) and Thilo Kehrer (pubalgia and adductor) are obviously long-term absentees and are unlikely to return to action for the next few months at the least.
Mauro Icardi (knee), Julian Draxler and Idrissa Gueye (both hamstring) are only expected to return to training at the end of the week, but the latter is obviously suspended for tomorrow’s clash.
Ander Herrera (calf) and Marco Verratti (thigh) could return to the mix for the crunch encounter, but Les Parisiens have confirmed that a decision over their involvement would be made after late fitness tests.
Elsewhere, Abdou Diallo is set to start alongside Marquinhos at the heart of the defence of Tuesday after Presnel Kimpembe’s late sending off during the 2-1 defeat to Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena this month.
Les Parisiens go into the Leipzig clash without three of their regular defenders in Kimpembe, Bernat and Kehrer and it remains to be seen whether they can return to winning ways.
Neymar’s comeback from an adductor injury is obviously a boost. The Brazil international made a cameo during the 3-2 loss to AS Monaco last weekend, but is pretty much certain to start on Tuesday.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
