There are some key Liverpool and Galatasaray players at risk of suspension, which could impact crucial ties against PSG.
After an easy win over Chelsea in the round of 16, PSG will know their opponent in the quarterfinals this evening once the Liverpool vs. Galatasaray match is over. A match that PSG will follow with great attention, for several reasons.
After eliminating Brest in the playoffs and then Liverpool in the round of 16, PSG will this season face the Reds in the quarterfinals or Galatasaray, who won 1-0 in the first leg in Istanbul. PSG, who returned this morning from London and will train this afternoon starting at 3:30 p.m., will inevitably pay close attention to the evening's Liverpool/Galatasaray match.
First, because it will allow Luis Enrique and his staff to gather valuable information about their future opponent, and also because several players from both teams are under threat of suspension in the event of a booking at Anfield this Wednesday. No fewer than four Liverpool players will thus be suspended for the first leg against PSG if they receive a yellow card this evening, in case of qualification.
They are captain and Dutch center back Virgil van Dijk, his compatriot and defensive midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, English midfielder Curtis Jones, as well as Northern Irish right back Conor Bradley, who, however, is seriously injured in the knee and will not play again by the end of the season. The first three are fit; however, Van Dijk and Gravenberch will start this evening.
Galatasaray is not left out since no fewer than 6 players from the Turkish club have already received two yellow cards since the start of the competition and are in danger this evening. This list includes five important players from the Istanbul club who should all start this evening: Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, Dutch winger Noa Lang, Senegalese left back Ismail Jakobs, Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir, and Turkish captain and center back Abdülkerim Bardakci. Also under threat this evening are Hungarian right back Roland Sallai, who should be a substitute this evening, as well as Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk.
Remember that yellow cards will only be erased after the quarterfinals, and that the two PSG players who were under threat Tuesday evening at Chelsea, namely Nuno Mendes and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, did not receive yellow cards at Stamford Bridge. Both will therefore be able to play the Champions League quarterfinal first leg at the Parc des Princes in three weeks, but would miss the return leg if they receive another yellow card.
Three weeks before the first leg, PSG is especially waiting to know the severity of Bradley Barcola's right ankle injury sustained against Chelsea. The winger wore a walking boot after the match and must undergo medical examinations this Wednesday. João Neves was taken out as a precaution at halftime due to discomfort (in an unspecified place), while Fabian Ruiz has not played since Jan. 20, but will perhaps, hopefully, be back in three weeks.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!