Real Madrid are getting ready to face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be an intense FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.
PSG began their preparations on Sunday, July 6, holding a recovery session for players who started in their last game against the German side.
However, according to Mundo Deportivo, a few key names were missing from the training pitch.
Right-back Achraf Hakimi and midfielder Fabian Ruiz stayed in the gym instead of joining the group, as did defender Presnel Kimpembe, raising some concerns for coach Luis Enrique.
The rest of PSG’s starting eleven trained at their camp before flying to New York, where they will continue their preparations until the match.
The substitutes completed a full training session as they look to earn a spot in the team for the crucial clash against Real Madrid.
The outlet says that PSG boss Luis Enrique does not plan to make changes to his midfield trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Ruiz, even though Ruiz is still regaining his fitness after being sidelined by a viral illness that kept him out of training ahead of the match against Bayern Munich.
The Spanish coach will hope his midfield can stay solid despite recent setbacks.
Both PSG and Real Madrid will be missing important players when they meet in the semi-final.
For Real Madrid, young centre-back Dean Huijsen will not be available after receiving a straight red card in their quarter-final win against Borussia Dortmund.
PSG have problems of their own. Ecuadorian defender Willian Pacho and French star Lucas Hernandez were both sent off in their last match against Bayern Munich, meaning they will miss the semi-final.
With two central defenders suspended, Luis Enrique is short on options at the back. He is expected to pair Marquinhos with Lucas Beraldo in central defence, hoping they can keep Real Madrid’s talented forwards at bay and help PSG reach the final.