PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino reveals Marco Verratti is on the bench for the Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich because ‘some COVID symptoms affected him.’
The first leg ended 3-2 for PSG in Germany and the decider kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Italy internationals Verratti, Alessandro Florenzi and Moise Kean are all on the bench to begin with.
While Kean is returning from injury, Verratti and Florenzi just recovered after contracting COVID on international duty.
PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino reveals Marco Verratti is on the bench for the Champions League quarter-final with Bayern Munich because ‘some COVID symptoms affected him.’
The first leg ended 3-2 for PSG in Germany and the decider kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).
Italy internationals Verratti, Alessandro Florenzi and Moise Kean are all on the bench to begin with.
While Kean is returning from injury, Verratti and Florenzi just recovered after contracting COVID on international duty.
“We certainly consulted the medical side of things when it came to this decision,” Pochettino told RMC Sport.
“Verratti is coming back from COVID, he had some symptoms that affected him. We are a little in unknown territory when it comes to his fitness levels.
“I hope we’ll be able to play him, if needed, later in the game. We will no doubt need his help.”
Verratti is a relatively rare case in football, as he contracted COVID twice.
The first time was in January 2021, but he recovered very quickly, so probably hadn’t developed the antibodies to protect him from a future infection.
PSG: Navas; Dagba, Danilo, Kimpembe, Diallo; Gueye, Paredes; Di Maria, Neymar, Draxler; Mbappé
PSG bench: Rico, Saidani, Kehrer, Verratti, Rafinha, Kean, Sarabia, Herrera, Florenzi, Bakker, Pembele, Nagera
Bayern Munich: Neuer; Pavard, Boateng, Hernandez, Davies; Kimmich, Alaba; Sané, Muller, Coman; Choupo-Moting
Bayern Munich bench: Nubel, Javi Martinez, Sarr, Nianzou, Musiala, Stanisic, Zaiser