Kombouare concern over PSG fixtures

Paris Saint-Germain manager Antoine Kombouare said selection for upcoming matches is critical given their hectic schedule of fixtures.

The Parisians are fifth in Ligue 1 but have a last-32 second leg match against their Belarusian opponents BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday as their focus.

A victory, a scoreless draw or a 1-1 stalemate would see Kombouare’s side advance to the final 16 inside 90 minutes, but the 47-year-old boss was worried about their packed line-up of fixtures that begins with BATE.

Kombouare’s side face the prospect of four matches in the next nine days, including two league games as they attempt to cut the four-point gap between them and leaders Lille.

“We have a lot of games to play and it’s true that we have also important matches coming up. On Sunday we played Toulouse, on Wednesday we have the quarter-final against Le Mans and on Saturday we have a trip to Auxerre, so I must make some decisions (on selection),” Kombouare said.

“I am forced to make choices because these players cannot play every game, it’s impossible. It is useless if on the ground the players are tired and today we have a quality group.”

Kombouare said his side are prepared for an attacking contest, with BATE requiring victory or a high-scoring draw at the Parc des Princes to move into the next phase.

“It’s going to be a tough game because on the first game we saw a great team of BATE Borisov. For them, the calculation is simple: they must win the game or a draw 3-3 to qualify,” he said.

“So tomorrow, we expect an open game with a team that will play to score goals. So it is going to be a fun game and hopefully we will win it.”