Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has insisted that Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s anti-referee rant last weekend has not affected the team’s preparations for their Ligue 1 match against Lorient.
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Despite the Swedish superstar’s controversial comments, and the straight red card he received against the Pensioners at Stamford Bridge, PSG are unaffected, according to Blanc.
“It’s the media who create turbulence,” said Blanc, as reported by L’Equipe, “we are preparing for our match [against Lorient in Ligue 1 on Friday evening].
“I think the players are aware of what is happening around them. Me too, I am well-placed to see the media swirl. Preparation has stayed serene. The objective is still the three points and to take seriously this Lorient team.”
Blanc was unwilling to comment on how the inevitable sanctions heading Zlatan’s way would affect PSG’s end to the season.
“Let the sanctions come and then I’ll comment,” he continued.
“To put it briefly, in the European Cup it will be two matches. In Ligue 1 it’s a more complicated case which will be very long. We’ll have time to think about it.”
Finally, the coach expressed hope that his star man wouldn’t be forced to miss too much of the remainder of the season.
“Zlatan is having a difficult season,” Blanc closed, “with injuries and suspensions.
“For him, it would be good to have good matches and score goals. I hope that he’s not punished too heavily so that he can show to the world that he is still a great player.”