UCL: PSG camp ‘unhappy’ as midfielder Ruiz refuses to play Liverpool tie
SKAiF NewsNG SNN
PSG are reportedly “unhappy” with midfielder Fabián Ruiz, amid claims the Spaniard has refused to play against Liverpool through pain from a knee injury.
The Champions League holders confirmed on Tuesday that Ruiz will miss their quarter-final first leg against Liverpool.
PSG added that the midfielder will continue with an individual training programme as he works back to full fitness.
Ruiz has been sidelined since January, despite the injury initially being described by the club as a “bruise on his left knee.”
According to L’Equipe reporter Loic Tanzi, Ruiz’s fitness has begun to frustrate PSG officials, who believe his knee is now “completely fine” and that he could have featured in their Ligue 1 match against Toulouse last Friday.
Ruiz, however, has reportedly insisted he will not train or play if he feels any knee pain.
“There is one certainty, it’s what he says and that he repeats that as long as he is in pain and suffering, he doesn’t want to play,” Tanzi said. “So much that he is in pain and suffering, he doesn’t want to play. At the slightest pain, he doesn’t want to train.”
The 30-year-old has been a key player for PSG, racking up 61 appearances in their treble-winning campaign last season. This season, he has played 24 times but has been absent for both PSG and Spain since January.
PSG boss Luis Enrique defended Ruiz, dismissing claims the club is unhappy and emphasising the need to give the midfielder “confidence” as he returns to fitness.
“We have to wait for the player, there’s no problem. We’re trying to get the players back as soon as possible,” Enrique said at a pre-match press conference. “We’re still focused on giving the player confidence. Fabian hasn’t trained with the group yet. He’s made a lot of progress, and we’re happy because he seems to be on the right track, but he still needs to do a little more.”
PSG will also be without Bradley Barcola due to injury, but they remain favourites against Liverpool in the quarter-final tie. The French side defeated Liverpool on penalties in the last 16 last season on their way to winning the Champions League for the first time.
Liverpool, under-pressure boss Arne Slot, enter the tie after a 4-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City. The Champions League now represents the Reds’ only realistic chance of silverware this season, as they continue their fight to qualify for next season’s competition via the Premier League.
The post UCL: PSG camp ‘unhappy’ as midfielder Ruiz refuses to play Liverpool tie appeared first on Vanguard News.
