Ancelotti welcomes Maradona link

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the arrival of Diego Maradona to Ligue 1 would be a positive for the league.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Nancy, the former AC Milan boss welcomed suggestions that the 1986 World Cup winner could be on his way to manage Montpellier.

“The arrival of Maradona would be a good thing for the French championship,” said the 53-year old.

The two men were contemporaries as players in Serie A during the late 1980s and early 90s, with the Italian at Milan and the Argentine at Napoli respectively.

“As a player I’ve played against Maradona, and he often won,” added Ancelotti.

The Italian coach also commented on his side’s upcoming match against Nancy, after PSG eliminated Valencia in the Champions League in midweek.

“This game comes at an important moment, only three days after Valencia,” he said. “It will not be easy to manage, especially physically. Champions League football takes a lot of energy especially for a team like us which is new to it.

“I’ll pick the freshest 11 possible.”

PSG welcome back talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic who missed out against Valencia due to suspension but even with the returning star Ancelotti is well aware of Nancy’s threat.

“We are not afraid of Nancy but we respect this team. They had good results after changing the coach,” he said.

“They always had great games here. It’s up to us to use our qualities. It will not be easy. All teams are well organised in this league.”