Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 7y

Unai Emery unsure if Angel Di Maria will start for Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain coach Unai Emery has hinted that Christopher Nkunku could start ahead of Angel Di Maria in the defending champions' Coupe de la Ligue semifinal away at Girondins de Bordeaux on Tuesday.

With Julian Draxler out injured after picking up a knock in the 2-0 win away at Nantes last Saturday, the Argentina international will expect to walk straight back into his Spanish coach's starting XI.

However, Emery was said to be dissatisfied with Di Maria's performances over the first half of the season and El Fideo has found himself behind Draxler in the pecking order in early 2017.

Asked at his prematch news conference whether the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man could start as one of the three attackers, the Basque tactician was evasive.

"Edinson, Hatem, Lucas and Angel are all available," said Emery. "Christopher can also play on the left wing.

"We will make a final decision on the starting XI in the morning. Today, Angel is ready to start on the left -- Christopher is too though."

The left side of the attack is not the only area Emery has some rejigging to do -- midfielder Thiago Motta is banned, while Poland international Grzegorz Krychowiak is still suffering from a knee problem and playmaker Javier Pastore has only just resumed group training after a lengthy lay-off.

Wantaway wide man Jese Rodriguez and youth academy graduate Jean-Kevin Augustin have both picked up small injuries and will both miss out in addition to Draxler and the other three.

"Thiago is suspended against Bordeaux," Emery said. "Grzegorz continues to work with the physios. Javier, even though he has started training with the squad again, will also be missing.

"Jese and Jean-Kevin both picked up little niggles in training and Julian is also sidelined with injury."

Emery's squad choices will no doubt be influenced by the fact that insatiable Monaco are the visitors in Sunday's massive Ligue 1 clash at Parc des Princes.

^ Back to Top ^