PSG could unleash major returning talent against Man City in Champions League second leg

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Speaking ahead of Paris Saint-Germain‘s Ligue 1 bout against En Avant de Guingamp on Saturday, Laurent Blanc has dropped a major hint that Marco Verratti could be in line for an imminent return to football.

The Italian playmaker has been sidelined for over a month, having not featured since PSG’s 4-1 victory over Stade de Reims on February 20. He has been suffering with a sports hernia in his groin, and has missed the French giants’ title run in as well as some crucial Champions League ties.

Both he and playmaker Javier Pastore—who is suffering with a calf problem—sat out the first leg of their quarter-final against Manchester City, which was drawn 2-2 following Fernaninho’s 72nd-minute equaliser for the visiting Sky Blues.

While it had appeared unlikely that Verratti would be in contention to feature for the second leg, Blanc has dropped a hint that the Italy international could feature.

According to L’Equipe, Blanc has insisted that Verratti has a “small chance” of featuring in the second leg, which could give PSG the midfield control they’ll need to see off the Citizens and reach the UCL semi-finals.

The French giants’ form has been patchy since they crushed Troyes to win the Ligue 1 title in record quick time.

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