soccer

Luis Enrique weighs PSG rotation in Ligue 1 before Bayern return as Hakimi ruled out

Yahoo Sports

Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique faces a difficult strategic dilemma. As he pursues back-to-back Champions League trophies, Luis Enrique must ensure he's also still fielding competitive teams in the closing stages of Ligue 1. Brilliant on the European stage, PSG has been less dominant domestically and holds a six-point lead over second-placed Lens.

PARIS (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique faces a difficult strategic dilemma. As he pursues back-to-back Champions League trophies, Luis Enrique must ensure he's also still fielding competitive teams in the closing stages of Ligue 1 . Brilliant on the European stage, PSG has been less dominant domestically and holds a six-point lead over second-placed Lens.

Both sides have four games left and Luis Enrique’s team has to travel to Lens on May 13, postponed from April 11 due to PSG’s involvement in the Champions League. The reigning French champion hosts mid-table Lorient at the Parc des Princes on Saturday followed by next week's trip to Bayern, where it will defend a one-goal advantage after a thrilling 5-4 win over the Bundesliga champion midweek. PSG's squad depth gives Luis Enrique plenty of options, but heavy rotation this month backfired in a 2-1 home defeat to Lyon as substitutes Illia Zabarnyi, Gonçalo Ramos and Lucas Beraldo underperformed.

Key matchups Lens came back from two goals down but dropped important points in a 3-3 draw at Brest last week. The northern side has no room for mistakes when it travels south to Nice on Saturday. Behind PSG and Lens, the fight for the Champions League places is intense.

Seven-time champion Lyon and fourth-placed Lille are level on points with the top three gaining direct entry to the Champions League, and the side in fourth entering qualifying. Lyon hosts in-from Rennes on Sunday while Lille takes on Le Havre. Lagging four points behind Lyon, sixth-placed Marseille still hopes to secure Champions League football and travels to struggling Nantes on Saturday.