Nice vs Paris Saint Germain preview - Blanc keeps league focus - 7M sport

Nice vs Paris Saint Germain preview - Blanc keeps league focus



Posted Friday, October 31, 2014 by PA

Paris St Germain boss Laurent Blanc has demanded full focus on the Ligue 1 match at Lorient that could prove more important than his team's next Champions League assignment.

A clash with Cypriot side APOEL awaits Blanc and his players next Wednesday, but PSG are already looking well placed for progression to the knock-out stages.

In their domestic league, however, the champions of the past two seasons made a sluggish start, and after recovering strongly they are entering a potentially pivotal moment.

Were the Parisians to lose on the artificial turf of Lorient on Saturday afternoon, they could find themselves seven points behind leaders Marseille heading into next week's match against the front-runners, which would take on added significance.

Blanc said: "We have to remain concentrated on this match, even if there is a Champions League match in midweek.

"Last season we took maximum points before and after the European games. It was good, because few teams have done that in Europe. This season, it's a little more difficult."

Blanc told his club's official website: "Looking at the deficit we've got in the championship, we can't allow ourselves to lose points. Everyone has been showing the utmost concentration. It's up to us to do the same against Lorient."

Blanc hopes to have star forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic back in his squad to face Marseille next week, after the recent absence of the Sweden international with a heel injury.

"He's getting a lot better, but not sufficiently for him to be training with the squad and called up for the match against Lorient," Blanc added.

"He's not been feeling any pain since Wednesday. That's a positive sign and he is pleased. When he was feeling the pain, he couldn't do anything.

"He is eager to be back, and has felt like it's been a long time - us too! He's been working intensively in recent days."

Blanc will be wary of the danger that Lorient midfielder Valentin Lavigne could pose, as the 20-year-old continues to impress in his debut season.

Lavigne has four goals already to his name, after springing from the club's reserve ranks.

"I don't think anyone was expecting it, me above all," Lavigne told Lorient's website.

"It's just been a pleasure for me. I'm a calm person. That's the benefit of being a Lorient player where there isn't too much pressure. It's a very good club to learn your way at.

"And if I ever got a big head, my family would be there to put me back on the right track, especially my brother who advises me about my behaviour and tells me to stay humble."

For Lavigne, facing Paris St Germain is a dream he is about to realise.

"I think it's like that for everyone," he said. "It's a great match that nobody would want to miss."



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