PSG hampered by injury problems ahead of Ajax clash

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc continues to struggle with a raft of injury problems as his side prepare to entertain Ajax at the Parc des Princes in Champions League Group F on Tuesday.The French champions are already through to the last 16 for the third season running after following up a 1-1 draw away to Ajax in September with three consecutive wins.

They come into their penultimate group game a point clear of Barcelona, who have also qualified, and their trip to the Camp Nou on December 10 is set to decide who goes through to the knockout stage as winners of the section.

However, in the seemingly unlikely event that Barcelona should lose to Apoel in Cyprus, PSG would be guaranteed top spot by beating already-eliminated Ajax in the French capital.

Few would bet against PSG, who are unbeaten in 31 home games in Europe and are still unbeaten in 19 games in all competitions this season after a 3-2 win at Metz in Ligue 1 on Friday.

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A late goal by Ezequiel Lavezzi against Metz clinched a seventh straight win for Laurent Blanc's side, but the PSG coach saw his injury worries increase in that match as midfield duo Yohan Cabaye and Thiago Motta both came off prematurely.

"Motta came off at half-time with a calf problem. Yohan Cabaye also had a calf problem. That is what happens to clubs who have a lot of international players. You need to be able to deal with it," conceded Blanc.

David Luiz, Lucas and Marco Verratti all missed that game and the latter is expected to be on the sidelines once more against Ajax, so young midfielder Adrien Rabiot could again feature after starting for the first time this season against Metz.

The weekend win also saw talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic start for his club for the first time in two months after a heel injury.

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Ibrahimovic, who spent three years with Ajax before joining Juventus in 2004, will now be looking forward to facing his old club, while full-backs Gregory van der Wiel and Maxwell will also face their former side.

"It is always special for me to play against Ajax. I learnt so many things there. My time in Amsterdam allowed me to become a man," said Maxwell, who made his name in Europe during a five-year spell with Ajax. – AFP

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