Cheikh Diabaté, the Malian striker and hero of the Coupe de France final last May, will not be part of the 18-player squad called by Francis Gillot to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions Trophy held in Libreville, Gabon. Diabaté is sidelined due to an injury, specifically pain in his right heel that he sustained during a friendly match against Mechelen in Belgium last week.
In addition to Diabaté, Abdou Traoré, another Malian international in the Girondins squad, is also absent due to a thigh injury. Gillot has included Henri Saivet, Hadi Sacko, and Jussié in the squad for the match, aiming to compensate for the absence of Diabaté’s physical and goal-scoring abilities. Diabaté, who often faced criticism for his playing style, played a crucial role for the Girondins last season, scoring 8 goals in Ligue 1 and finishing as the club’s top scorer.
Bordeaux, the winner of the 2013 Coupe de France, faces challenges with significant absences in the squad. Despite this, they will confront a formidable opponent in Paris Saint-Germain. Although new recruits Edinson Cavani and Marquinhos are not yet ready, PSG boasts a strong lineup with players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas, and Lavezzi leading the attack. Despite a mixed preparation, PSG, under coach Laurent Blanc, presents formidable strengths in the upcoming match against Bordeaux.
