At a time when Marseille is counting its wounded, Paris is recovering its own. Back in training in recent days, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio are absent from the medical update communicated by PSG this Saturday, on the eve of the Classic against OM, Sunday (8:45 p.m.), at the Vélodrome, during the 27th day of Ligue 1. The Brazilian has missed the last six matches of the capital club with an Achilles tendon injury and the Spaniard, the last four with an hamstring injury. Hit in the ankle, the Slovakian has been missing since the Champions Trophy, the first match of the year for the leaders in the standings. It remains to be seen whether they will be in the group for the trip to Marseille on Sunday. They have never been so close to returning to competition, while PSG, entered in all competitions, begins an exciting final sprint.
Asked at a press conference, Luis Enrique seems confident: “I believe that after this international break, almost all the players are available. We will give the list of those who are called up for the match (Sunday). They are all almost in optimal condition. For elements like Presnel Kimpembe, we still have to see what the ideal timing is for them to return. We are in a period where titles are being played out. There are certain times in the season where you can choose what’s best for the player, but right now it’s what’s best for the team that’s most important. Competitions are what they are and you have to win everything. The interest of the team comes before personal interests. But in terms of what I saw in training yesterday (Friday), it was pretty spectacular in terms of pace for everyone. They are all likely to come in, I like that.”
Two players are still stuck in the infirmary, starting with Presnel Kimpembe, out since the 3-0 victory in Marseille last year. The French international defender “continues his recovery exercises”. No return date announced. Last but not least, Bradley Barcola suffered a left hamstring injury with the French U23 team during the last meeting. The former Lyonnais “will carry out suitable work”, we explain without further details. Luis Enrique was not more transparent: “I can’t talk about lasting, I leave that in the hands of the doctors and the player. It’s private, it’s personal,” he explains. The countdown is on to find out if Barcola will be able to play against Barça.
