Paris Saint Germain vs Monaco - Verratti is out for Paris' clash with Monaco

Posted Saturday, January 28, 2017 by PA

Paris St Germain are without midfielder Marco Verratti for the crucial Ligue 1 clash with league-leaders Monaco.

The Italy international picked up an injury in training and has been ruled out of the game by manager Unai Emery at his pre-match press conference.

The reigning champions head into the game at the Parc des Prince three points behind Monaco, with both sides in fine form having won three league games on the bounce.

However they will have to make do without influential midfielder Verratti and Javier Pastore through injury.

"Marco (Verratti) has a small injury, it is not ready for tomorrow," Emery said. "Javier (Pastore) is not ready yet for tomorrow.

"He goes much better and trains with us. This is good news for the group to see the good progress.

"Otherwise, everyone is in shape for the game tomorrow."

He added: "We want to maintain the spirit of the team, whatever the players lined up on the ground. We know that players have different qualities."

Monaco's recent form has seen them usurp early-season leaders Nice at the top of the table, and Emery is well aware of the threats posed.

"It's a great team with great players, they are confident, they are able to keep possession of the ball and they are good in the transitions," he said.

"They know how to use the faults of their opponents. It will take a big game.

"They are leaders, it's the team to beat. There are three points at stake, three important points, but it is not necessarily decisive."

Radamel Falcao has enjoyed something of a renaissance after a difficult spell in the Premier League.

The striker has scored 12 times in the league this season, in a free-scoring Monaco side. The game will see a mouth-watering clash between Falcao and Edinson Cavani, who has stepped out of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's shadow this campaign.

On the rivalry, the Monaco skipper said: "He's having a magnificent season. He's making a lot of chances in every game and scoring lots of goals. Since Ibrahimovic left, he's taken his responsibilities."

On the game, he added: "It's a big match to play in. All the players love playing in games like this.

"A win in Paris would be very important for the rest of the league season. We'll need to be focused and keep up the momentum we've had since the start of the season

"They are a strong side involved in four competitions. We respect them. They have won 11 trophies in the last three years."