Cavani causes new injury headache for PSG

Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he might need to resort to “Plan D” in the approaching Champions League showdown with Manchester United after Edinson Cavani sparked a new injury scare on Saturday.

Cavani appeared to hurt his leg while taking the penalty three minutes before half-time that gave PSG a 1-0 win over Bordeaux at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1.

Television replays showed the Uruguayan grimacing and asking to be substituted. He left the pitch moments later and was replaced by Kylian Mbappe at half-time.

Losing Cavani, who is PSG’s all-time leading scorer and has netted 22 times this season, would be another huge blow to the French champions ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, first leg at Old Trafford.

“I don’t know if he can play. He came off after taking the shot, it is a muscle problem,” said Tuchel.

“We will have to wait another night and day to have a clearer idea and get more tests done.”

PSG are already missing Neymar for the tie against a resurgent United, with the Brazilian not expected back from a metatarsal injury until early April.

He was in attendance at Saturday’s game, which saw Marco Verratti make his return to action after three weeks out with an ankle injury.

“It is too much. These are quality players for decisive matches. Not everyone can play at that level in the Champions League. We don’t have a second ‘Edi’”, Tuchel told Canal+, but he later insisted that he did have solutions in mind if needed.

“We have lots of Plan Bs. Without ‘Ney’, maybe without Marco, maybe without ‘Edi’. We have a Plan D.

“We must analyse Manchester United, and remain calm and confident.

“If two or three key players are not there, it is our responsibility to find solutions.

“It is super difficult, and if we are missing several players, the challenge is even greater. But we will be ready on Tuesday.”

At least the win allowed PSG -- whose shirts carried the players’ names in Mandarin in a nod to the Chinese New Year -- to get back on track after last week’s 2-1 loss at Lyon, their first Ligue 1 defeat this season.

The reigning champions are 13 points clear at the top with a game in hand on second-placed Lille, who visit Guingamp on Sunday.

Such is their margin for error domestically that Tuchel could afford to wrap a host of key players in cotton wool with the Champions League in mind. As a result, Mbappe started on the bench while Angel di Maria, Marquinhos, Juan Bernat, Thilo Kehrer and Julian Draxler -- all probable starters in midweek -- were left out completely.

Verratti lasted just under an hour before making way for recent signing Leandro Paredes, and Tuchel must now decide whether to start the Italian playmaker in England.

 

Cavani causes new injury headache for PSG

Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he might need to resort to Plan D in the approaching Champions League showdown with Manchester United after Edinson Cavani sparked a new injury scare on Saturday. Cavani appeared to hurt his leg while taking the penalty three minutes before half-time that gave PSG a 1-0 win over Bordeaux at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1. Television replays showed the Uruguayan grimacing and asking to be substituted. He left the pitch moments later and was replaced by Kylian Mbappe at half-time. Losing Cavani, who is PSGs all-time leading scorer and has netted 22 times this season, would be another huge blow to the French champions ahead of Tuesdays Champions League last 16, first leg at Old Trafford. I dont know if he can play. He came off after taking the shot, it is a muscle problem, said Tuchel. We will have to wait another night and day to have a clearer idea and get more tests done. PSG are already missing Neymar for the tie against a resurgent United, with the Brazilian not expected back from a metatarsal injury until early April. He was in attendance at Saturdays game, which saw Marco Verratti make his return to action after three weeks out with an ankle injury. It is too much. These are quality players for decisive matches. Not everyone can play at that level in the Champions League. We dont have a second Edi, Tuchel told Canal+, but he later insisted that he did have solutions in mind if needed. We have lots of Plan Bs. Without Ney, maybe without Marco, maybe without Edi. We have a Plan D. We must analyse Manchester United, and remain calm and confident. If two or three key players are not there, it is our responsibility to find solutions. It is super difficult, and if we are missing several players, the challenge is even greater. But we will be ready on Tuesday. At least the win allowed PSG -- whose shirts carried the players names in Mandarin in a nod to the Chinese New Year -- to get back on track after last weeks 2-1 loss at Lyon, their first Ligue 1 defeat this season. The reigning champions are 13 points clear at the top with a game in hand on second-placed Lille, who visit Guingamp on Sunday. Such is their margin for error domestically that Tuchel could afford to wrap a host of key players in cotton wool with the Champions League in mind. As a result, Mbappe started on the bench while Angel di Maria, Marquinhos, Juan Bernat, Thilo Kehrer and Julian Draxler -- all probable starters in midweek -- were left out completely. Verratti lasted just under an hour before making way for recent signing Leandro Paredes, and Tuchel must now decide whether to start the Italian playmaker in England.