Paris Saint-Germain will be without influential forward Neymar when they square off against Barcelona in the second leg round of 16 Champions League tie on Wednesday.
Coach of the French Champions Mauricio Pochettino has decided not to take risk with the Brazilian’s fitness having picked up an abductor injury in a Cup game against Caen last month.
With PSG going into Wednesday’s encounter on the back of a 4 – 1 first leg victory over their Spanish opponents, Pochettino will not be calling upon the South American at Parc des Princes.
“Sergio Rico is not participating in training this morning for personal reasons, the club stated in a team news update ahead of Barcelona clash.
“Neymar JR resumed partial training with the squad last week and will continue his individual recovery work. A new assessment will be made in the coming days.
“Juan Bernat continues his rehabilitation and his personal recovery.
“Moise Kean is still in isolation due to Covid-19.”
Neymar has been on the sideline in PSG’s last six matches but, good thing is Porchettino’s men have fared well in those games without the former Barcelona star save for the defeat to rivals Monaco.
While a Neymar-Barcelona reunion looks doubtful, PSG will need no reminder about the fact that they have suffered a dramatic continental collapse against their Spanish rivals in the past and would do everything possible to avoid a repeat.
