This Tuesday, Paris Saint-Germain (15th) take on Arsenal (16th) at Emirates Stadium for Matchday 2 of the 2024-2025 Champions League (kick-off 9pm, broadcast on Canal+Foot). With 2 days to go before the match, L’Equipe takes a look at the squad, hoping for some good news, even though 4 players will almost certainly be missing.
No hope for Doué ?
“Back in training on Thursday, Donnarumma has since taken part in all the sessions and does not appear to be holding back. Against Rennes, Donnarumma was rested as a precautionary measure.
On Saturday, the decision as to whether he would feature in the squad against Arsenal had not yet been taken. He has recovered, but there was still some uncertainty as to whether he would be 100% fit for action. With four more days to go, however, the trend was positive. Barring an alert or a relapse in the meantime, the tendency was even to see him start.
Vitinha, Asensio and Mendes, it’s possible.
As for the rest, in addition to the usual unavailabilities (Gonçalo Ramos, Lucas Hernandez, Kimpembe), Désiré Doué (sprained ankle) is likely to be out again. For Vitinha, Marco Asensio (recovery) and Nuno Mendes (virus), it will depend on how they feel over the next forty-eight hours.”
With Donnarumma having been able to train for several days, there’s every reason to believe that he’ll be ready to face Arsenal. Perhaps not by being at 100%, although that’s possible. It was certainly a case of caution against Rennes, as is often the case with coach Luis Enrique and his staff.
Doué has been diagnosed with a sprain, which leaves us uncertain as to when he will return, as the severity of the injury can vary greatly. But it’s hard to believe that he’ll be ready for such a match. Vitinha, Asensio and Mendes had less serious problems. In the case of the latter, it was only a “viral syndrome”. If he’s no longer ill, he’ll logically be able to play.
Today’s and Monday’s training sessions will give some indications, but let’s wait for the certainties.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
