PSG hit by injury woes ahead of Champions League clash

The Paris based club is likely to miss key players for their match against Ajax at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who spent three years with Ajax earlier in his career, will be looking forward to facing his old club REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski

The French champions, who are already through to the last 16 of the world’s biggest club competition, are favourites to win their encounter against the Dutch side.

They have remained unbeaten not only in 31 home games in Europe but also in 19 games in all competitions this season.

PSG reached the last 16 of the Champions League riding on three consecutive wins and a draw.

Even the mighty Barcelona suffered a 3-2 defeat against the French club in September.

PSG are a point clear of Barcelona, who have also qualified from Group F, and their trip to the Camp Nou on December 10 is set to decide who goes through to the knockout stage as winners of the section.

PSG’s form in the domestic league continues to be impressive.

A late goal by Ezequiel Lavezzi against Metz on Friday helped PSG win 3-2. This was the seventh straight win for Laurent Blanc's side, but the PSG coach saw his injury worries increase in that match as midfield duo Yohan Cabaye and Thiago Motta both came off prematurely.

"Motta came off at half-time with a calf problem. Yohan Cabaye also had a calf problem. That is what happens to clubs who have a lot of international players. You need to be able to deal with it," Blanc remarked.

David Luiz, Lucas and Marco Verratti all missed that game and the latter is expected to be on the sidelines once more against Ajax, so young midfielder Adrien Rabiot could again feature after starting for the first time this season against Metz.

The weekend win also saw talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic start for his club for the first time in two months after a heel injury.

Ibrahimovic, who spent three years with Ajax before joining Juventus in 2004, will now be looking forward to facing his old club, while full-backs Gregory van der Wiel and Maxwell will also face their former side.