Sergio Ramos will again be missing when Paris Saint-Germain play AS Monaco on Sunday in their last home game of 2021.
PSG confirmed on Saturday that Ramos, whose season has been plagued by injuries including a persistent calf problem, would not return to collective training before next week as he was ruled out of the visit of the principality side to the Parc des Princes. The veteran Spanish defender has played just one game of the Parisians since arriving from Real Madrid in the close season, in a 3-1 win at AS Saint-Etienne on November 28.
“We hope he will play again before the end of the year,” said Paris coach Mauricio Pochettino, who wants his team to build on their encouraging performance in midweek, when they crushed Club Brugge 4-1 in the UEFA Champions League.
“We are preparing for a difficult match against a very competitive team, even if they are not as high up the table as last season. The fact they had to play in the Champions League qualifiers explains some of their difficulties, but they have a great coach and great players.
Monaco confident
“We would like to see a top-level performance for the full 90 minutes, like the first 45 minutes against Brugge, but it’s not easy to do. You need to take the opposition into account too.”
As well as Ramos, Paris will be missing Nuno Mendes, Neymar Jr and Julian Draxler, while Presnel Kimpembe has been struggling with abdominal pain, making him a doubt to face a Monaco side who beat the capital club twice last season.
“We know what we did last season. I have detected a good atmosphere the last few days. My players like going to the Parc des Princes and playing against PSG. We believe in our chances, which is important,” said Monaco coach Niko Kovac.
