The coach has a full PSG squad to choose from
for the showpiece clash but has urged patience
with his returning star, who has been
unavailable since February
Marco Verratti could return to action for Paris
Saint-Germain in Saturday's Coupe de la Ligue
final against Lille.
Italy midfielder Verratti has been sidelined since
February with a groin problem, during which
time PSG completed their march to the Ligue 1
title but were knocked out of the Champions
League by Manchester City to fall at the quarter-
final stage for the fourth consecutive season.
The 23-year-old is now back in full training with
Laurent Blanc's squad but the coach remains
eager not to ask too much of Verratti too soon.
"His injury is delicate, it takes patience," said
Blanc, who also hopes to welcome Verratti's
international team-mate Thiago Motta back
from a hamstring strain. "It has taken time and
hard work on the part of the player and the
staff.
"Marco is training normally, I am happy for him.
I cannot say more. Hopefully he will be in the
group tomorrow [Saturday].
"For the first time in years, the whole group is
training. For a long time this has not happened.
It's good news."
PSG are aiming to repeat their feat of a
domestic treble last season but Blanc concedes
having Saturday's encounter and the Coupe de
France final against Marseille as their only two
matches with anything at stake could affect his
side's competitive edge.
"Our opponent last year [Barcelona] won the
Champions League. This is not the same
context," he explained.
"It was necessary to be motivated in the league
last year but now the championship is
completed.
"We still have two games to challenge ourselves,
two finals. I hope we will have the physical and
mental resources to play at our level."
Blanc added: "Lille have talented players, have
got results and are sturdy defensively. They are
still fresh physically; this is not the case for us."
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