Marquinhos will miss Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 home match against Saint-Etienne on Sunday after suffering a thigh injury.
The Brazilian has made 13 league appearances for PSG this season and has also featured in all six Champions League games.
In Ligue 1, he has made the second most blocks (six), while also winning 12 of the 18 tackles he has attempted in the competition.
PSG confirmed on Saturday that Marquinhos is still dealing with an adductor injury he suffered during their 1-0 win over Monaco in the Trophee des Champions last week.
“Marquinhos will not be able to play,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Saturday.
PSG face a busy six-match series in January, including tough games against Stuttgart away and Manchester City at home in the Champions League. In Ligue 1, after Saint-Etienne, they face Lens and Reims.
PSG have won just one of their last five Ligue 1 matches to open a calendar year (D3 L1), but that win came at Lens last year (2-0 in January 2024). Their next victory marks Luis Enrique's 50th victory as the club's leader in all competitions.
They sit 25th in the Champions League, outside the play-off spots, having collected just seven points from six games.
𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞
AS Saint-Étienne12/01 – 8:45 PM#PSGASSE I @visitrwanda_now” >@visitrwanda_now pic.twitter.com/1SAhyLsef0
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English” >@PSG_English) January 10, 2025
However, if PSG can secure a win, it would be Luis Enrique's 50th win in all competitions in charge of the club.
“The six games in January are tough for all competitions. If we don't win, we will be eliminated. I always think the opposite,” said Luis Enrique.
“I see a team that is very good at competition. Why would I be negative? More positive [thoughts] for me and the team [as well] to approach everything with a positive attitude.
“There are matches where motivation is not needed. When you play a Champions League match it is easy. Right now I can say that we are at the best moment of the season. I am starting to see that there are many players those who can are starters.”
PSG signed winger Marco Asensio from Real Madrid last season, but the 28-year-old has not featured in five of their last six matches.
In total, Asensio has scored two goals and registered four assists in Ligue 1 this season, creating 15 chances in his 11 league appearances.
When asked if Asensio would leave in the January transfer window due to his lack of playing time, Luis Enrique said: “My decisions speak louder than me. I make decisions based on what I see in training.” [But] No situation is irreversible.”
PSG have won 43 of their 81 Ligue 1 matches against St Etienne (D25 L13), with only more against Metz (46) and Nantes (44) in the top flight.
That bodes well for Luis Enrique's side to continue their run of five consecutive wins in all competitions, and the coach said his side was packed with quality.
'This means there is a lot of competition [in the squad]. That is very positive for a coach. Whether this is reflected in the results or not, we will see, but I am very happy with what I have seen in recent weeks.”
Comments