PSG vs Toulouse, for the French League: Messi is the starter in a leader with many casualties

With its reduced star strength, but with

as a baton,

this Saturday

(ESPN and Star+ are televised) in a match corresponding to the 22nd date of the French League.

For the leader, the slogan will be to extend the five-point advantage over his escort, Olympique de Marseille, who will play Nice on Sunday, and also that his men emerge unscathed from this commitment, since the duel is already looming on their horizon. first leg of the

round of 16 against

.

The challenge in the Parc des Princes does not seem too demanding for PSG.

His rival is 12th in the table, 22 points from the top and 11 from the places that grant qualification for the next season of European competitions, although he emerged victorious in his last three appearances (two for Ligue 1 and the rest for the French Cup).

Anyway, it seems to exist, at least a priori, a good distance between the contenders.

Bearing in mind that

, perhaps the most important challenge for

this Saturday is to start drawing up an offensive structure without

, thinking about the first match against Bayern that will take place . will play on February 14 in the French capital.

Kylian Mbappé was injured against Montpellier and will not be able to play for three weeks.

Photo: Thibault Camus / AP.

The World Cup goalscorer from Qatar suffered a hamstring injury in his left leg on Wednesday, in the 3-1 victory against Montpellier (he had previously missed a penalty that he had executed unsuccessfully twice), and will not be able to play for three weeks.

On Saturday they will also miss (although his recovery times are presumed to be shorter) the Brazilian

and the Spanish

, both with discomfort in their adductors.

The absences of Mbappé and Neymar will recharge the offensive work on Messi, author of a goal on Wednesday against Montpellier, his second since his return after the consecration in Qatar (he had also scored against Angers).

The captain of the Argentine national team will be accompanied by youngsters Hugo Ekitike (20) and Warren Zaïre-Emery (16), whose combined ages are only one year older than Leo's.

This Saturday's match against Toulouse will be just one station on a very congested route for PSG: they will play seven games in 21 days.

Before the much mentioned clash against Bayern, they will have to face Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday for the round of 16 of the French Cup and Monaco for Ligue 1 next Saturday.

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