PSG face Good with one eye on Barcelona conflict

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Paris Saint-Germain could have one eye on subsequent week’s Champions League conflict with Barcelona, however cannot afford to fall additional behind within the Ligue 1 title race after they host Good on Saturday.

Mauricio Pochettino’s males suffered one other setback forward of Tuesday’s last-16 first leg in opposition to Barca on the Camp Nou when Neymar joined Angel Di Maria on the sidelines after struggling a groin harm in midweek.

However the French champions must keep away from dropping extra factors in Ligue 1, the place they sit third, three factors behind leaders Lille.

Neymar has been dominated out for “round 4 weeks” after sustaining a groin harm throughout Wednesday’s French Cup win over Caen.

However Pochettino defended his choice to play the Brazil attacker within the Cup last-64 recreation, for which Neymar was captain in opposition to second-division opposition.

“Each recreation is essential. I consider that PSG should win each recreation,” mentioned Argentinian Pochettino, who took over from the sacked Thomas Tuchel final month.

“If we had misplaced, you’d have criticised me for not having given significance to the French Cup. We make the choices, we analyse, we attempt to discover the most effective crew.”

PSG have bounced again strongly from a shock 3-2 loss at lowly Lorient on January 31, with league wins over Nimes and arch rivals Marseille.

Good have began to seek out their toes in latest weeks, although, with a Cup victory over Nimes and final weekend’s success over Angers their first back-to-back wins since November 1.

Lille, chasing a primary main trophy since successful the league and French Cup double in 2011, host Brest on Sunday.

PSG and Lyon, who welcome Montpellier to the Groupama Stadium after the Parisians’ recreation, might due to this fact each go prime at numerous factors of Saturday.

Marseille eased a few of the gloom surrounding the membership with their first win since suspending Andre Villas-Boas by beating second-tier Auxerre within the Cup.

However they are going to be with out the suspended Dimitri Payet for Sunday’s journey to Bordeaux after the winger’s purple card within the 2-0 loss to PSG final weekend.

Fourth-placed Monaco, the final crew to disclaim PSG the Ligue 1 trophy, may additionally nonetheless have title aspirations.

The principality membership, six factors behind Lille, will bid for an eighth straight league win after they host Lorient.

Participant to observe: Moise Kean (PSG)

With Neymar and Di Maria each lacking, Italy striker Kean might stake a declare for a beginning place in opposition to Barcelona.

The 20-year-old, on mortgage from Everton, has impressed for the capital giants regardless of struggling within the Premier League final time period.

His purpose within the 1-0 victory over second-tier Caen was his twelfth this season, together with two within the Champions League group stage.

Key stats

Six: Consecutive Ligue 1 wins for leaders Lille.

54: Factors received by Lille this time period, their most at this stage of a season in over 70 years.

88: PSG video games, out of a potential 191, missed by Neymar since he joined the membership in 2017, in response to Opta.

Fixtures (all occasions GMT)

Saturday

Paris Saint-Germain v Good (1600), Reims v Lens (1800), Lyon v Montpellier (2000)

Sunday

Monaco v Lorient (1200), Angers v Nantes, Dijon v Nimes, Metz v Strasbourg, Rennes v Saint-Etienne (all 1400), Lille v Brest (1600), Bordeaux v Marseille (2000)

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