Ibrahimovic fit for Monaco clash

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc insists Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be fit for Sunday’s game at Monaco, despite back problems.

Ibrahimovic fired PSG into the Coupe de la Ligue final on Tuesday as he scored both goals in a 2-1 semi-final win at Nantes.

That brace took the Sweden striker to 31 goals in all competitions for the season and his presence has been made all the more important by the absence of Edinson Cavani, who is on the sidelines due to a thigh problem.

Blanc revealed that Ibrahimovic has been struggling for fitness, but is adamant the former Barcelona and Milan man will play in the crucial top-of-the-table clash at the Stade Louis II.

“Ibrahimovic has back problems,” Blanc said. “They should not last too long. He will be there on Sunday against Monaco.”

PSG can take another step towards a second successive Ligue 1 title with victory over Monaco, who the capital club lead by five points at the top of the table.

The two sides earned a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture at the Parc des Princes in September, Radamel Falcao scoring the equaliser after Ibrahimovic had put PSG in front.

Falcao is set to miss the remainder of the season due to a knee ligament injury sustained last month.

However, Blanc is still expecting Claudio Ranieri’s men to provide his side with a stern test and refused to label PSG as favourites for the encounter.

He added: “Monaco is the only team that came to the Parc (des Princes) with the desire to control the game and be offensive.

“I think Monaco will intend to possess the ball like us. This is not a team that will simply defend.

“Monaco said that Paris is the favourite for the match. Me I will not say anything, you will see on Sunday but we intend to win.”