BIG BLOW: PSG’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (centre) leaves the pitch after getting injured during Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Chelsea, in Paris. (AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaifi told French radio yesterday that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to be out for “at least four weeks” due to injury.
The Swede came off midway through the second half of PSG’s 3-1 win against Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday clutching the back of his right thigh and was due to undergo tests.
“He is having an MRI scan at the moment and we’re awaiting the results,” al-Khelaifi told RMC. “But I think he will be out for at least four weeks.”
If al-Khelaifi’s prediction proves to be true, Ibrahimovic will certainly be ruled out of next Tuesday’s second leg against Chelsea and would also probably miss an eventual semi-final, as well as the French League Cup final against Lyon on April 19. In his absence, Brazilian winger Lucas would likely come into Laurent Blanc’s starting line-up. “To play next Tuesday is impossible. I think Zlatan is very important for the team but Lucas is ready,” al-Khelaifi added.
Ibrahimovic has scored a club record-breaking 40 goals in all competitions this season, including 10 in the Champions League. The Sweden striker was a pale shadow of his usual brilliant self against Chelsea on Wednesday, as he failed to score or create chances for his teammates.
“He’s reached a level of fitness that allows him to make forays into the defence,” coach Laurent Blanc said.
“He brings depth and speed. And now he scores goals. He was our best man,” Blanc added.
After Ibrahimovic was substituted by Lucas, the Brazil forward showed great pace to rattle Chelsea and late sub Javier Pastore scored a stunning solo goal as PSG coped superbly without the Swede to establish a two-goal cushion.
Almost halfway through the Qatari owners’ five-year plan to win Europe’s premium club competition, PSG are now beginning to look like a side capable of delivering ahead of time. “Our players are getting to know each other more and more, and we’ve had more time to work together,” said man-of-the-match Lavezzi. “The results have improved because of that, which is normal.”
Before the game, Ibrahimovic said PSG were in the same position now that Chelsea were in two years after
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the London club in 2003.