Lille vs Paris St Germain preview - Blanc confident in squad depth
Posted Wednesday, December 03, 2014 by PA
Paris St Germain coach Laurent Blanc is confident his squad has the strength in depth to deal with their latest casualty list ahead of Wednesday night's clash with Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Blanc's men sit hot on the heels of Ligue 1 leaders Marseille and are enjoying a run of nine straight wins in all competitions, but are still without a number of their first-team squad due to injury.
Defender Thiago Silva (thigh), midfielders Thiago Motta (groin), Yohan Cabaye (calf) and Marco Verratti (groin), striker Jean-Christophe Bahebeck (groin) and goalkeeper Nicolas Douchez (calf) are all currently sidelined for Les Parisiens.
But the PSG coach is confident his side can continue their winning ways starting with Wednesday's match as he told L'Equipe: "We have a performance requirement. We are fortunate to have a broad squad.
"We will try to make an intelligent rotation....if there are any worries, it will rotate. We will try to be successful in all areas."
But the PSG coach believes the defending champions can remain dominant in their upcoming games - which this month includes home Ligue 1 fixtures against Nantes and Montpellier, an away match at Guingamp, their final Champions League Group F tie away to Barcelona and a French League Cup clash at Ajaccio.
Blanc is adamant he will prepare his squad for the clash with Lille as normal, and added: "This series of games is very important, it's a bit complicated but I think we'll get there.
"Right now, I feel we focus only on the game. But for the club, it is the three points of victory that count. I can not imagine the day when we do not win."
Lille sit in 14th place in the table following a 10-match winless run, with their last victory coming in September at home to Bastia.
But Blanc does not feel their current form should mean that it will be an easy game for his side, as he said: "The Lille situation is known, but this team still deserves respect.
"It is well known that this game will be difficult, with prevailing circumstances. We go to take points, as does everyone."
Lille coach Rene Girard retains the belief that his side can turn things around and return to winning ways before too long.
He told his club's official Twitter feed: "I fully accept these difficult times. But I know it does not take much to go again in the right direction.
"We are not even halfway (through) the championship. We have got 16 points (and) a game in hand. It does not prevent us from believing."
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