Blanc: PSG taking no risks

Laurent Blanc insists Paris St Germain will still be playing to win despite holding a 4-0 lead going into their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen tonight.

PSG are in control of the last-16 tie after the first leg, in which Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s double was sandwiched by an early goal from Blaise Matuidi and a late fourth by Yohan Cabaye.

Blanc, though, cautioned: “We prepare for every match to win, and that is the same concerning the match against Leverkusen. We respect this team. We have to back up our performance in the first game.

“It is down to us and we have to take the game seriously.”

Ibrahimovic is likely to start but Matuidi is sidelined along with Marco Verratti and Gregory van der Wiel.

“Zlatan, who has had problems with his back, is feeling much better,” said Blanc. Marco, Gregory and Blaise will not play. The team which plays will be competitive but there will certainly be changes from the team which played against Bastia.”

Leverkusen boss Sami Hyypia has also vowed that his team will give their all despite the lop-sided scoreline.

“We are not writing off the game,” he said, “Otherwise we might as well send out the under-23 side. It’s a great chance for the players to show up.”

Midfielder Lars Bender is doubtful but Omer Toprak and Stefan Reinartz are likely to feature.