Lionel Messi out of PSG's Ligue 1 trip to Reims due to calf injury
India Today
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward Lionel Messi suffered a minor contracture in his calf during his team's Champions League clash.
Lionel Messi has been ruled out of Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 clash with Reims on Saturday, the defending French champions have confirmed.
"He asked to be replaced during the Champions League game (against Benfica on Wednesday). He has a little problem with his calf but he will be back to training on Sunday," Galtier told a news conference on Friday.
Nuno Mendes, a fullback, will be sidelined for three weeks with a muscular ailment, while Kylian Mbappe has a throat infection, adding to PSG's injury troubles. France forward, however, is anticipated to be a part of the team, according to Galtier, even if he sits on the bench. This would allow 20-year-old Hugo Ekitike to have another start.
With 25 points from nine games and an undefeated record, PSG is in first place, two points ahead of Olympique de Marseille, who will play host to last-place AC Ajaccio on Saturday.
When asked if he would switch his three-man central defense to a more reliable four-man backline in light of Mendes and Presnel Kimpembe's injuries, who is still sidelined with a hamstring injury, Galtier responded that he would maintain his standard defensive strategy.
"I'm not going to change the system, especially because we do not have much time to work, having come back from Lisbon yesterday morning at 6 a.m.," he explained.
PSG will take a bus the 150 kilometers to Reims after facing criticism for their alleged excessive use of planes to go to Ligue 1 games, added Galtier.
