Paris Saint-Germain have to play catch-up in the UEFA Champions League after losing the first leg 2-1 in the round of 16 against Borussia Dortmund. The task may have become even tougher yet for the Parisiens. Next to the suspended defensive midfielder Marco Verratti and right-back Thomas Meunier, Thomas Tuchel may also have to make do without centre-back Thiago Silva.
The 35-year-old left the field after 17 minutes during PSG’s 4-3 win against Bordeaux on Sunday. On Monday, the club confirmed that the Brazilian will be out for at least three weeks with an upper leg muscular injury, most likely ruling him out for the March 11 return leg against the Black and Yellows.
OFFICIAL: PSG expect captain Thiago Silva to miss 3 weeks of action with a right thigh problem, while Ander Herrera will be absent for 6-8 weeks with a left quadricep issue.
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) February 24, 2020
“With Silva unavailable, that means Marquinhos will have to fill his role at centre-back instead of being positioned as a defensive midfielder where Tuchel likely prefers him against Dortmund. Tanguy Kouassi is an option at centre-back but it would be a bold move for Tuchel to trust a 17-year-old in a game like this,” PSG Talk write.
Ander Herrera, who could have been an alternative for Verratti in midfield will also miss six to eight weeks with a left quadriceps issue.
“There’s really only Leandro Paredes and Idrissa Gueye available who you would trust [in midfield],” Ed from PSG Talk told The Yellow Wall, adding: ” Another option, which I would like to see, is [17-year-old] Tanguy Kouassi at centre-back and leave Marquinhos in midfield.”
Bundesliga fans can anticipate former Bayern player Juan Bernat and Thilo Kehrer to cover the left and right-back positions.
