After being knocked out of the French Cup at the hands of Marseille, PSG have suffered another blow in Lionel Messi injury. According to L’ÉQUIPE, the 35-year-old has sustained a hamstring injury against Marseille and is set to miss PSG’s next outing against AS Monaco. The Parisians were beaten by their their bitter rivals in the round of 16 of the French Cup, as they hit another low having won just three of their last six games in all competitions.
However, the bigger picture here is Lionel Messi’s availability for PSG’s crunch round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich next week. Christophe Galtier’s men will first welcome the Bavarians at the Parc des Princes on February 15, and then travel to the Allianz Arena three weeks later, on March 9. L’ÉQUIPE adds while the Argentine is set to miss the Monaco game, he is now also a doubt for the Bayern showdown.
PSG could be without both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe
PSG have already Kylian Mbappe to a thigh injury, and now Lionel Messi appears to be the latest victim. The Frenchman left the game against Montpellier after being brought off, and he is not expected to come back until the second leg against Bayern Munich. Messi would have been expected to lead the line, but Galtier now faces a new challenge as a result of the Argentine’s injury.
Messi has been crucial to PSG’s season as he aims to lead the club to their first ever Champions League title, and his first since 2015. The former Barcelona forward has a stunning 15 goals and 14 assists in 25 games for the Parisians so far. It was natural that Galtier turned towards him and Neymar to balance the club in the absence of Mbappe. However, both were shut out during the French Cup defeat against Marseille.
The problems have only increased now for Galtier, as he could have to face Bayern next week with only Neymar available from his attacking trio of Messi-Mbappe-Neymar. L’ÉQUIPE adds that although PSG remain hopeful of having the Argentine World Cup winner available to face the Bavarians, he may still not be at his best. French journalist Julien Laurens reveals:
“Lionel Messi injured his hamstring last night against Marseille. He is doubtful for Tuesday’s game against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, even if PSG hope that he could feature. But even if he could play, he wouldn’t be 100% anyway.”
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi is not PSG’s only fresh injury concern at the moment. Sergio Ramos may also be out against Bayern, as he is reportedly suffering from adductor pain. However, further tests will be carried out to establish the severity of his ailment. The duo of Presnel Kimbempe and Renato Sanches have also been ruled out for the Champions League fixture next week, with PSG’s list of injury growing to five post the Marseille loss.
Galtier will now have to go through a brainstorming of ideas with his staff to carve out a plan for the German giants. However, Bayern too are going through a dismal patch of form, having won just two of their last six games in all competitions, while drawing four. Furthermore, they will also be without a number of key players for the trip to Paris, with the likes of Sadio Mane, Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, Ryan Gravenberch, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Noussair Mazraoui all unavailable.