The good news came this Tuesday late morning. For the first time in a long time, PSG’s medical press release was in just a few lines. “Quentin Ndjantou continues his individual protocol. Kang-In Lee has returned to group training. » Only two absent, on paper.
The South Korean had already trained on Saturday, but not on Monday. He was present among his partners during the session this Tuesday morning, but could be a little short for the decisive match in the Champions League against Newcastle this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes.
Luis Enrique will also not be able to count on the young Dro Fernandez who is not qualified for this meeting. On the other hand, he must welcome the returns of Achraf Hakimi, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, Fabian Ruiz and Matvey Safonov. While Paris will play a direct accession in the round of 16 in front of its supporters, Paris therefore finds its strong men.
In front of Lucas Chevalier, who should keep his place in goal, Hakimi could start in the right lane. “I saw Hakimi perfect in training, we will see tomorrow (Wednesday), but I think he will be among the players who will be able to play the match,” announced Luis Enrique at a press conference.
With Zaire-Emery in the middle?
His presence at kick-off will depend on his feelings after returning with “a little physicality” from the African Cup of Nations which he only lost in the final. On the left, Nuno Mendes is expected, as well as the usual Marquinhos-Pacho hinge.
In the midfield, Vitinha will obviously be present. Fabian Ruiz has also recovered from his blow received in Lisbon when Warren Zaire-Emery could occupy third place in the middle. Number 33 is applying to regain his preferred position after a successful interim as a full-back. Its positioning will be conditional on Hakimi’s state of form. It remains to be seen the intentions of the staff with Neves who has not played since the Champions Trophy against OM on January 8.
On the attacking front, Ousmane Dembélé seems assured of starting in the same capacity as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Newcastle, 7th in the league phase one place behind Paris, will certainly look to attack to get a ticket into the top 8. The Parisian attackers could therefore have spaces to exploit, which could correspond to the profile of Bradley Barcola.
The probable composition of PSG: Chevalier – Hakimi, Marquinhos (cap.), Pacho, Mendes – Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz – Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, Barcola.
