APOEL Nicosia vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Team news and game preview

Despite the fact that Paris Saint-Germain are riddled by injuries, this game still screams mismatch for APOEL Nicosia. PSG are the free spending French giant coming to Cyprus to sweep aside the little club that’s trying to block their path to the knockout round. Then again, APOEL was run over by Barcelona last month so you just never know.

PSG knocked out Barcelona in the last match day and took control of Group F, but their overall form has been a bit inconsistent. Injuries are a big part of the problem with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva both having missed significant time already this season. Both players are doubtful heading into Tuesday’s game, but PSG have to still feel good about their chances.

APOEL sit in last place in the group despite strong performances against both Barca and Ajax. The Cyrpiots battled hard against Barcelona only losing by a 1-0 scoreline, while they were able to pull off a 1-1 draw agains the Dutch side. Getting out of the group was always going to be a longshot, but a spot in the Europa League isn’t out of reach. A win, or at least a point, against PSG would go a long way to helping APOEL towards that goal.

Key Player: Whomever plays in the decimated PSG back line

David Luiz and Marquinhos are hurt, so is Thiago Silva. It’s a regular M.A.S.H. until at the back for PSG at the moment and until they get everyone healthy, it’s going to be a job for Laurent Blanc to keep things together. While APOEL probably won’t have the offense to really test them too much, if there was ever good time to be playing the defending French champions, this might be it.

Key Matchup: APOEL defense vs. Edinson Cavani

With Zlatan not expected to play, the extremely talented Edison Cavani will continue to shoulder the lead as PSG’s top striker against APOEL. Fortuantely for the Parisians Cavani is more than capable of doing the work that needs to be done. He’s big, strong, fast and has tremendous goal scoring touch. He;s going to cause problems for the APOEL defense either clearing out space for his teammates or challenging the back line on his own.

APOEL injuries and suspensions

Out: Efstathios Aloneftis (back), Tasos Kissas (unspecified), Anastasios Papazoglou (stomach).

PSG injuries and suspensions

Out: David Luiz (Paris), Ezequiel Lavezzi (thigh), Marquinhos (thigh). In Doubt: Zlatan Ibrahmovic (foot), Thiago Silva (hamstring).

Look at that PSG injury list! It’s practically an all-star team by itself. Luiz, Lavezzi, Marquinhos are out, Zlatan is probably out and Thiago Silva is a big doubt as well. The big problem is at the back where some combination of Thiago Motta, Zoumana Camara and Presnel Kimpembe will likely have to start.

Match Date/Time: Tuesday 9:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Venue: Neo GSP, Nicosía, Cyprus

Online: FOX Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.)

Listings via LiveSoccerTV.