Angel di Maria ruled out of PSG's Champions League tie with Barcelona

Paris Saint-Germain dealt Champions League injury blow after Angel di Maria is ruled out of the first leg of their last-16 tie at Barcelona after limping off with knee issue at Marseille

  • Angel di Maria lasted just 11 minutes for Paris Saint-Germain in win at Marseille
  • PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino ruled him out of trip to Barcelona this month
  • Pochettino though remained coy on his likely return date after the clash 

Paris Saint-Germain will be without Angel di Maria when they take on Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie after manager Mauricio Pochettino confirmed he was ruled out by injury.

Di Maria limped off with a knee issue in PSG’s 2-0 win over Marseille in the French top flight over the weekend shortly after playing an assist for Kylian Mbappe to open the scoring.

The first leg of the tie will be played at the Nou Camp on February 16 and when questioned on whether the forward would be available, Pochettino ruled out any chance of the Argentine featuring. 

Angel di Maria limped off in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-0 win over Marseille in the 11th minute

Angel di Maria limped off in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 win over Marseille in the 11th minute

‘Yes, it’s over for Angel Di Maria [to play against Barcelona]. We will communicate again in a week to see where we are.’ he said.

The former Tottenham boss though insisted despite the absence of Di Maria, who turns 33 on Sunday, it will not change how he will tactically approach the fixture.

‘The fact of not having Di Maria in Barcelona does not force us to leave our main idea [of how to play]. We will find the best solutions,’ he added. 

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has now ruled him out of the Champions League tie at Barcelona

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has now ruled him out of the Champions League tie at Barcelona

No time frame has been given for Di Maria’s return with Pochettino’s words hinting he could be in contention to feature against Monaco five days after the Champions League tie.

With five goals and 12 assists from his 25 games this term, the former Manchester United winger will prove a significant absence to Pochettino ahead of his Champions League return.

The Argentine’s match in the competition will be his first in nearly two years following his sacking at Spurs and provides him with the first real acid test of his tenure at the Parc des Princes.

Pochettino has otherwise enjoyed a positive first month in the hotseat since replacing Thomas Tuchel, winning six of his eight games in charge, including the French super cup triumph over Marseille in January, 

The French champions though remain in third place three points behind leaders Lille and a point behind Lyon.

Di Maria has been an integral part of the PSG attack this term with five goals and 12 assists

Di Maria has been an integral part of the PSG attack this term with five goals and 12 assists

source: dailymail.co.uk