PSG Set to Move a Step Closer in Wrestling Top Spot from Marseille
FRANCE Ligue 1 Preview PSG are ready to close the gap on league leaders after securing a Champions League knockout phase spot ...
https://sundownsports.blogspot.com/2014/11/psg-set-to-move-step-closer-in-wresting.html
FRANCE
Ligue 1 Preview
PSG are ready to close the gap on league leaders after securing a Champions League knockout phase spot |
Paris
Saint-Germain can close within one point of leaders Marseille with victory over
their arch-rivals on Sunday which would cap a week in which they also
guaranteed their place in the Champions League knockout phase.
Laurent
Blanc's unbeaten champions won their fifth straight match on Wednesday, when a
narrow 1-0 win over Apoel Nicosia was enough to seal their place in the last-16
of Europe's most prestigious competition.
However
Blanc realises Marseille, who are currently four points clear, will benefit from
their extra rest this week and the fact that they are taking no part in
European competition this season.
Marcelo
Bielsa's Marseille side equalled a club record with eight straight wins on
their rise to the top of Ligue 1 but a tough 1-0 defeat at Lyon snapped that
run which was then followed by League Cup elimination by Rennes.
"Is
playing a Champions League match on a Wednesday ideal preparation for a
'Clasico' on a Sunday? I don't know," said Blanc, who played as a defender
for Marseille between 1997 and 1999.
"Winning
is always better than losing or drawing, it helps you recover better.
"Marseille
will come here with an ambitious mindset after the start they have had to the
season, but we will approach the match in the same way."
"We
have dropped points in games this season but the fact we are playing in the
Champions League has prevented us from picking up as many as we maybe deserve.
"It's
certainly an advantage for Marseille, and the more games you play the more you
expose yourself to the risk of picking up injuries."
Edinson
Cavani has picked up the PSG slack, with Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic still
struggling with a foot injury.
The
Uruguayan has scored in his last four matches to equal his best streak with the
club.
Ibrahimovic
may return for the high-profile match at the Parc des Princes and Blanc
confirmed there is a real chance their talisman could be in the starting
line-up.
"His
problem is quite unique but there have been some very encouraging signs the
past few days even if we still don't know when he will be ready.
"He
has worked very hard and if his progress continues in the next few days,
anything is possible."
Lyon
have quietly climbed the table into third spot and a home victory over 16th
placed Guingamp on Sunday will draw them within two points of Bielsa's side
ahead of the clash in the capital.
Bordeaux
are level with Saint-Etienne and seven adrift as Willy Sagnol's controversial
week finishes with a trip to Lens on Saturday.
The
Bordeaux coach had to apologise over his comments regarding African players and
for declaring that the scheduling of the African Cup of Nations influenced his
decision to sign players from the continent.
Saint-Etienne
face Monaco who were beaten 1-0 by Benfica in the Champions League in midweek.
Bastia
begin life without sacked coach Claude Makelele on Saturday, when Montpellier
are in Corsica while sixth-placed Nantes make the short trip to Normandy and a
key clash at Caen.
Rennes
open the weekend slate on Friday at home to Lorient in the Brittany derby.