Paris Saint – Germain ’s injury problems worsened on Saturday as forwards Mauro Icardi and Pablo Sarabia were ruled out of Sunday ’s Ligue 1 game at Lyon .
Star striker Kylian Mbappe has also failed to recover from a thigh injury suffered in August , leaving PSG coach Thomas Tuchel without five attacking players , with Edinson Cavani and Julian Draxler also still sidelined.
“ It ’s still too risky ( to play Mbappe ) ,” said Tuchel. “ He ’s very close ( to playing again) , but it ( his recovery ) is not over .”
Winger Sarabia , a close -season signing from Sevilla, picked up a knock in Wednesday ’ s 3 – 0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid , while Icardi , on loan from Inter Milan, is still yet to reach peak fitness.
The French champions will likely start with a front three of Neymar , Angel Di Maria and Eric Maxim Choupo -Moting at the Groupama Stadium .
Lyon were widely tipped to be PSG ’s closest challengers for the league title this term , but Sylvinho ’s men sit eighth in the early table , four points behind the leaders .
“ It was tough last year ( 2 -1 Lyon win ) and it will be hard again this year , I’ m expecting a Lyon in top form , ” said German Tuchel.
“ We have to do the same things as against Real , but it ’s not easy . It ’ s the challenge of playing with the same spirit, the same intensity . ”
By kick- off , PSG could find themselves knocked off top spot , as Andre Villas-Boas ’ Marseille have a chance to move to the summit when they host Montpellier on Saturday .
( AFP )
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