Enrique rests Ruiz and Dembélé ahead of Champions League tie

Paris Saint-Germain manager has given Ousmane Dembélé and Fabián Ruiz rest from first-team training on Monday ahead of their UEFA Champions League play-off second-leg against AS Monaco on Wednesday night. 

PSG had won the first leg of the tie 3-2 at Stade Louis II last Tuesday. The Paris club will therefore go into the game with a slender one-goal advantage.

However, PSG had an injury blow as their talisman, Dembélé, was withdrawn within 30 minutes due to injury and replaced by Désiré Doué, who ultimately proved to be the difference-maker. 

Dembélé, the current Ballon d’Or holder, is therefore a doubt for Monaco as he was absent from training on Monday.

According to L’Équipe, Fabián Ruiz, who has not featured for the European champions since 20th January, was also not in training.

The Spaniard, who was out of action after sustaining a minor knee injury, has now returned to individual training. 

Meanwhile, Quentin Ndjantou and Senny Mayulu will also be absent for the reigning European champions.

PSG will need another convincing performance to show their mettle as the champions, having struggled earlier this season before their present run of form.

PSG will hope to make it a double over their Ligue 1 rivals as a last-16 ticket is at stake for the reigning champions.

They go into the tie as huge favourites having won away from home in the first leg.

Meanwhile, Istvan Kovacs will be the referee of the match. The referee was the one who officiated last season’s Champions League final in which the Paris club trounced Inter Milan to win the trophy for the first time in their history.

This announcement was made by UEFA on Monday. The 41-year-old Romanian will bring back fond memories for the Parisian club, having been at the centre of the club in their last season triumph.