Paris: Paris Saint-Germain's inconsistency in the French league has yet to impact their Champions League campaign as the big spenders hold a 2-1 lead ahead of Wednesday's return leg in the last 16 against Valencia. PSG have not reached the Champions League quarter-finals since 1995 and will be favoured to progress, despite coping without top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is suspended.
Ibrahimovic, who has scored 26 goals, has been masking PSG's weaknesses. When he's out of form, like in Saturday's 1-0 loss at Reims, the team seems short on options. PSG's win in Valencia three weeks ago contrasted sharply with Saturday's poor display, which was PSG's second straight away loss to a team fighting against relegation - a worrying statistic for a club aspiring to join Europe's elite.
PSG coach Carlo Ancelotti refused to criticise his players for their poor showing against Reims and said the loss does not change his plans for Valencia. "I don't think so," the Italian said. "Wednesday's match is important, that's true, but we've already prepared for it."
Ancelotti has Brazil center half Thiago Silva available again after nearly two months out with a hamstring injury, but winger Jeremy Menez is doubtful with a sore hip and sat out Monday's training. Following Saturday's loss, sporting director Leonardo made the bizarre claim that "maybe we have a team made for Europe, not for this kind of match."
Leonardo's comments were met with wide-ranging criticism in the French media and put Ancelotti in a fragile position. After failing to win the title last season, Ancelotti is under big pressure to do so this time, and he hardly needs a member of the club's hierarchy saying that the team is essentially too good for its own league and destined for European success.
PSG have not won the league since 1994, and aside from winning the now defunct European Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, they have not won anything in Europe - although they did reach the Champions League semi-finals in 1995. Valencia's cause, meanwhile, may be helped by Ibrahimovic's absence - especially considering their problems in defence.
Jeremy Mathieu may have to fill in at center half alongside Victor Ruiz in a makeshift partnership because Adil Rami is injured and Ricardo Costa is struggling for fitness. Aly Cissokho is expected to start at left back. "We will try and play more intelligently than we did in the first game," Mathieu said. "Paris is very strong at the back and they have some really quick players up front. We will have to be careful."
Even though Valencia have to win - and must also score at least two goals - Mathieu cautions against all-out attack. "PSG lets the rival have possession and looks to counterattack," Mathieu said. "We can come back but we have to be more intelligent than in Mestalla, where we went forward a lot and in the end PSG took advantage."
Valencia slipped to a 2-2 draw at home against city rival Levante on Saturday after conceding a late equaliser, letting escape a chance to move up into fourth place in the Spanish league and enter into the Champions League spots.
Even so, Valencia continue to show improvement under new coach Ernesto Valverde with only one loss in their past 10 league games. "We have to score away, there is no doubt about that and we must avoid conceding a goal," Cissokho said. "They have got important players missing, but they also have big players that can come on, like (David) Beckham."
Ancelotti may need a cool head in midfield if Valencia start to get back into it, and the 37-year-old former England captain is raring to go - six years after his last appearance in the competition with Real Madrid. Beckham is even confident enough of playing in his old position on the right flank. "I think I can still play on the right. I played in that position for many years," Beckham said. "My strengths have always been passing and crossing."
With Marco Verratti suspended, Ancelotti has to decide whether to play Beckham or Thiago Motta alongside Blaise Matuidi, while Ezequiel Lavezzi could start up front with Kevin Gameiro.
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