The central defender Marquinhos, fresh from a muscle problem, and the midfielder Marco Verratti, recovered from Covid-19, are back available for PSG, but they should go on the bench in the return match of the Champions League quarter-finals scheduled for tomorrow against Bayern Munich.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino announced this at a press conference.
For the Brazilian defender and captain "I still don't know if he will be available, in principle I say yes, but not to play. He could go to the bench," said the Argentine coach.
Plagued by a hamstring problem, Marquinhos exited after 30 'of play in the first leg victory (3-2), shortly after scoring the goal of the momentary 2-0. "We know the qualities of 'Marqui'," commented mate Presnel Kimpembe. "He is the leader of the defense, the captain of the team. If he is not there, it will be a serious absence, even if there are great players in this team to replace him." "In general, it will be difficult for him to start as a starter", added Pochettino, speaking of Marco Verratti, hit for the second time by Covid-19 and absent in the first leg. The other Italian of PSG infected by the pandemic, Alessandro Florenzi, could "perhaps" be included in the starting eleven, observed the coach before adding about the two Azzurri: "We will see how they are tomorrow". Argentine striker Mauro Icardi "is not among the squads," said Pochettino.
