PSG coach Luis Enrique weighs up how many players to rest against Lorient ahead of Bayern return

TL;DR

PSG coach Luis Enrique is considering how many players to rest for the upcoming match against Lorient, ahead of a crucial Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich. The team is managing injuries and fatigue after a high-intensity first leg against Bayern.

Key points

Luis Enrique is assessing player fatigue and injuries.
PSG has a six-point lead in Ligue 1 with four games remaining.
Achraf Hakimi is out for several weeks due to a thigh injury.
Warren Zaïre-Emery may replace Hakimi at right back.
A win against Lorient could secure the Ligue 1 title for PSG.

Paris Saint-GermainLorientBayern MunichAchraf Hakimi

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique is weighing up how many players to rest for Saturday's home game against mid-table Lorient in Ligue 1. PSG has yet to secure the French title but has a massive game on Wednesday, the return fixture of an intense Champions League semifinal against Bayern Munich, which finished 5-4 to titleholder PSG in an extraordinary first leg on Tuesday. “Every match is different and presents its own challenges. We have to take everything into consideration,” Luis Enrique said Friday. “I need to speak to the players individually. It’s not easy, it’s like playing Tetris. We have to win the three points and manage to get the players back for the most important match of the season." PSG has a six-point lead over second-placed Lens with four games remaining but still has to travel to its closest pursuer on May 13. The high-scoring showdown against Bayern left players from both sides exhausted, with PSG right back Achraf Hakimi sustaining a thigh injury which rules him out for several weeks. “Bayern is the hardest opponent I've faced with PSG. It was the most physically intense game of the season, and emotionally there was also more fatigue,” Luis Enrique said. “(Hakimi) is a machine who always plays at an incredible level, it's like having three players. Unfortunately he won't be in Munich but we are serene.” Warren Zaïre-Emery is likely to switch from midfield, to fill in for Hakimi at right back, and Luis Enrique can ill afford for him to get injured too. That's even more the case for goalkeeper Matvei Safonov, given that backup is also out injured. Luis Enrique needs Safonov against Bayern and may hand a first league start to 19-year-old goalie , who joined from Roma last summer and is highly rated. Spain midfielder Fabián Ruiz could start against Lorient after recently returning from a knee injury sustained against Sporting Lisbon in January. “Fabian is an incredible player for us, one of the best midfielders in the world,” Luis Enrique said. “Tomorrow is a good time to get some more playing time.” PSG will all but seal the title if it beats ninth-placed Lorient and Lens loses at Nice later on Saturday. \\_ AP soccer:

Q&A

How many players is PSG resting against Lorient?

Luis Enrique is still evaluating how many players to rest for the match against Lorient.

What is the significance of PSG's match against Lorient?

A win against Lorient would almost secure PSG's title, especially if Lens loses their match.

Who is replacing Achraf Hakimi in the PSG lineup?

Warren Zaïre-Emery is likely to switch from midfield to fill in for Hakimi at right back.

PSG coach Luis Enrique weighs up how many players to rest against Lorient ahead of Bayern return

TL;DR

Key points

Q&A

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