Paris (AFP)
Paris SG coach Thomas Tuchel announced on Saturday the absence of Edinson Cavani, Marco Verratti, Juan Bernat and Marquinhos due to injury, notably during the trip Sunday (8:55 pm) to Lorient in the 16th final of the Coupe de France.
To these major absences are also added those of Thomas Meunier, Thilo Kehrer and young Tanguy Kouassi and Adil Aouchiche (both 17), he said.
"Unfortunately I have a large list of absentees" while "a week ago we were 25 players in training, everyone was there," said the German technician.
Tuchel spoke of "small wounds" for all the players who remained in the infirmary. Regarding Cavani, "he does not have much", only discomfort "in the pubis" (a pelvic bone) and "we hope he will return soon," he said.
Cavani, top scorer in PSG history (198 goals), will have to wait before hoping to reach the 200 goal mark in the Paris jersey, which he could also abandon this winter. The Uruguayan striker, pushed to the bench by Mauro Icardi, is negotiating to join Atlético Madrid, according to the trade press.
Against Lorient, leader of Ligue 2, Tuchel said he expected a difficult match on Sunday, especially since he will only have 16 field players at his disposal.
"It is not a problem to find an eleven strong holder who can win," he said. However, the German coach said he was "worried about using too few players", while PSG is subject to a very dense calendar in January.
© 2020 AFP