If Paris-SG and Saint-Etienne have only one unit difference in their number of French champions (9 in the Parisians, 10 in the Stéphanois – record), tonight’s opposition (21:00) has rarely been so unbalanced in the middle of the season.
PSG are at the top of L1 with 59 units, and ASSE, 16th, has only 22 small points, one more than the red lantern, Bordeaux.
Thirty-seven points separate the two formations before their meeting at the Parc des Princes, a chasm nevertheless reduced in recent weeks by “Sainté”, launched on a series of three victories and a draw in the Championship.
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Verratti suspended, Ramos still out
However, the dynamic is not as clear as the gap suggests, within the two clubs. Because the Parisians are just recovering from a humiliation, suffered in Nantes (3-1) on Saturday in a climate of tension with the arbitration. In front of his audience, the “MNM”, Messi-Neymar-Mbappé, will want to redeem himself.
The star defender of Paris SG Sergio Ramos could resume the race “in the middle of next week” announced the club on Friday which will have to do without Parades and Herrera for the reception of Saint-Etienne on Saturday in Ligue 1.
Even if the star defender resumes the race “in the middle of next week”, his presence is still uncertain to face his former club, Real Madrid, in the knockout stages of the return of the Champions League on March 9 in Spain.
The Argentinian midfielder is treating “adductor pain” and should resume racing at the start of next week according to the club. His Spanish team-mate, Ander Herrera will not be able to play due to muscle discomfort, and is also expected to return to training next week. “We have enough staff to overcome this type of situation,” replied PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino on these absences, at a press conference on Friday.
The club will also have to do without another midfielder, Marco Verratti, for the reception of Saint-Etienne on Saturday evening. The Italian is suspended for accumulating yellow cards and could miss more league games with his remarks to the referees after last Saturday’s Ligue 1 encounter against Nantes.
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