Paris Saint Germain vs Bordeaux preview - Paris St Germain manager Laurent Blanc calls Bordeaux boss Willy Sagnol's bluff

Posted Friday, September 11, 2015 by PA

Paris St Germain boss Laurent Blanc has skilfully called Willy Sagnol's bluff ahead of Bordeaux's visit to the Parc des Princes.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions and current leaders are preparing to host the team Blanc led to the title in 2009 and Les Girondins have promised to deliver some of that winning courage on Friday night.

When told that his former France team-mate Sagnol had suggested that the days following an international weekend were the best time in which to tackle PSG, Blanc appeared unconvinced.

He told his pre-match press conference: "Every match is difficult and so we have to prepare for this one with great seriousness and determination.

"We will approach this game like any other, that is to say we will go out there to win all three points.

"If, as Willy Sagnol has said, Bordeaux are planning to come to Paris to give us a game then that really is just great news for the fans."

PSG will be without their star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is struggling with a painful back injury he suffered while playing for Sweden last week.

"Ibra 'could' play tomorrow, but he won't. He won't be in the squad," said Blanc.

"We will give him some more time to get ready for the Champions League game against Malmo.

"That's one of the advantages of having a substantial squad.

"His injury isn't serious, but it is painful and that means he needs to rest."

Sagnol, whose team are 10th, had earlier claimed that jet lag will put PSG at a distinct disadvantage.

He told girondins.com: "Paris have similar problems to us, but players like their Brazilians, Lucas Moura and David Luiz, are returning from the other side of the world having played on Tuesday night.

"It's not ideal for us to play on Friday but ultimately I think this is a great time to face PSG.

"Their players will be a little tired and the game itself might make them even more emotional.

"We've already seen some giant-killings this season."

Striker Thomas Toure is unlikely to feature due to a thigh injury while midfielder Clement Chantome is suspended after picking up his third yellow card of the season in a victory over Nantes.