At this time of year, the Parisian infirmary often tends to fill up.
Reverse scenario this time, a few days before the reception of Barcelona, in the knockout stages of the Champions League.
And so much the better for the vice-champions of Europe, because their Catalan opponents demonstrated on Wednesday, by overthrowing Sevilla FC 3-0 in the Copa del Rey after losing the first leg 0-2, that it will be necessary to take them seriously next Wednesday, at the Parc des Princes.
Admittedly, Barça had maximum success in achieving this "comeback", with a missed penalty for the Andalusians and the second goal, the work of Gerard Piqué, scored in stoppage time in regulation time to snatch extra time.
And as Ronald Koeman said, go up "a 4-1", the score in the first leg, "it's something else".
But the combined returns of Angel Di Maria and Marco Verratti will not be too much to validate this qualification in C1 quarterfinals, if possible without trembling.
Better: the Argentinian and the Italian will be there this Saturday (9:10 p.m.), in Brest, in the 16th of the Coupe de France.
The opportunity for them to store minutes, rhythm.
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Recall that Di Maria, 32, was arrested since his thigh injury on the OM field (2-0 victory) on February 7.
He had notably missed the Barcelona success, replaced by Moise Kean on the right flank of Mauricio Pochettino's attack.
Which Kean ... is at a standstill, affected by the Covid-19 and already forfeited for the return against Lionel Messi and company.
Verratti, he had played at Camp Nou.
The 28-year-old had even been brilliant there.
A blow to the arch of the foot, however, cost him the matches in Dijon (0-4) and Bordeaux (0-1).
To see if the two players are able to start this Saturday in Brittany.
Barring a bad surprise by then, they will certainly face FC Barcelona next Wednesday.
So brilliant in Catalonia, Kylian Mbappé is for his part back in the group after a suspension match.
Neymar and Florenzi in the waiting room
In recent weeks, the usual replacements have in any case done quite well.
We think of Julian Draxler, Rafinha or Pablo Sarabia, the Spanish striker having for example scored on Wednesday at Matmut Atlantique.
“I'm happy with the performance of players who play less usually, real professionals.
They have shown that football is a team sport, relished Pochettino in Gironde soil.
I am proud to have a team like this.
All the players are important, this is also what we saw in Dijon (last Saturday). "
Nevertheless, the return of the tauliers remains excellent news for the Parisian coach and his staff before the final sprint in Ligue 1 and the cleaver matches in “Champions”.
"If the entire workforce is operational, it will increase competition and it will help us achieve our objectives," slips Pochettino, who will still have to wait to recover Neymar and Alessandro Florenzi.
It will not be long.
The Italian international full-back must resume "with the group at the end of the week".
And what about the Brazilian superstar, out for almost a month?
"He will not be in Brest, but we are very happy with his development and we will see in the days to come if he can be part of the group against Barcelona", loose Pochettino.
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In the meantime, it's time for the Coupe de France and this duel against the player and attractive Brest team.
A formation which had also posed concerns to Paris Saint-Germain in early January, despite what the final score suggests (3-0).
It will be the third game in a row away from the Parc des Princes for the Rouge et Bleu and the opportunity to advance in a competition that has so often smiled at the club of the capital (13 coronations).
Pochettino had also played a final as a player in 2003 (defeat 1-2 against AJ Auxerre).
"It's a competition that everyone loves to play, where all the teams participate," promises the native of Murphy.
And to add, swearing that his players and himself will not have their heads turned towards Barça in Brittany: "We must give value and importance to tomorrow's match (this Saturday) in the Coupe de France.
We know that it will be a complicated match, that Brest will make things complicated for us.
We are focused on Brest. ”
In any case, the best way to prepare Barcelona is still to pass Cape Breton by winning this Saturday, while relaunching the injured.
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