Mauricio Pochettino has not tried it. When he was asked if he was counting on Sergio Ramos for the reception of Real Madrid, next February 15 in the round of 16 of the Champions League, the PSG coach was content to evoke a medical situation which requires a “daily assessment”. The club’s press release also does not specify how long the unavailability of the Spanish defender, again injured in the calf and already forfeited for the reception of Nice, this Monday evening (9:15 p.m.) in the round of 16 should last. the French Cup.
Ramos’ health is such an inexact science that today it forces every PSG player to be extremely careful. Whatever the evolution of this new injury, it today forces the Parisian staff to do without the former Madrid player at an unwelcome pace if we consider that this match against the Aiglons should give useful information on the composition of the Paris defense.
With Donnarumma in the cage
Alas, Paris will have to do once again without Ramos but also eight other players either injured, or in rehabilitation, or retained in the national team starting with their captain Marquinhos. Despite these defections, Pochettino can count on Donnarumma in the cage and Messi in the offensive line, two elements of which he has already announced the tenures, but not that of Paredes who returned prematurely from selection. To signify this is to underline the quality of the PSG workforce which, beyond its many absences, will present an eleven with a still attractive face although weakened in certain positions.
This leaves the Niçois, authors of a draw at the Parc des Princes last December (0-0) and the only team to have deprived Paris of a victory at home this season, the right to dream of a qualification. Even if it will be necessary to be a little more bloody in attack to hope to see the quarter-finals. “Nice is a solid, compact team, and complicated to maneuver, remembers Pochettino. It was difficult a few weeks ago here at the Parc des Princes, and we are still expecting a very tough game. “This time, however, it will be necessary to score if PSG, defending champion, wants to avoid an unbreathable penalty shootout at the end of regulation time.