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Champions League: Zlatan Ibrahimovic ruled out of PSG's clash with Barcelona


Paris Saint-Germain have suffered a blow on the eve of their mouthwatering Champions League showdown against Barcelona when star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was ruled out through injury.

Ibrahimovic missed PSG's last two Ligue 1 matches with a heel problem but coach Laurent Blanc had hoped to have the prolific frontman back to face their former club at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

However, Ibrahimovic failed a fitness test on Monday and will take no part in the Group F clash between two of the more fancied sides to lift this season's Champions League.

A PSG statement read: "The diagnostic after several tests conducted this morning on the injured left heel of Zlatan Ibrahimovic is negative. The striker is out of the Champions League clash against FC Barcelona."
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The 32-year-old Ibrahimovic played for Barca during the 2009/10 season and helped the Catalan giants win the Primera Division title as well as the UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Spanish Supercopa in his brief spell at the Nou Camp.

However, Barca came up short in the Champions League that season, losing to eventual winners Inter Milan in the semi-finals, and in interview with Canal Plus this weekend Ibrahimovic - who has yet to win the competition - appeared to point the finger of blame for that failure at former coach Pep Guardiola.

Ibrahimovic, who was substituted just after the hour mark in both legs of the 3-2 aggregate loss, said: "We had the best team in the world, for sure, there's no doubts.

"Going out in the semi-finals was all about wrong decisions from people we cannot (have) control over. That's the way it is, nothing to complain about now... I had a fantastic time there."

Ibrahimovic may not be able to lock horns with his old team on this occasion, but he believes the match against Luis Enrique's in-form side will be a good test for the French champions.

Laurent Blanc: Taking PSG training on Monday

Barca have won six and drawn the other of their seven competitive games under their new coach and are yet to concede a goal.

"I think this is the game we need to play to higher our level individually and collectively, and you do that by playing against one of the best teams in the world. It's a good game for us, exciting," said the much-travelled forward.

Blanc, who played for Barca in the 1996/97 season, is also without another of his forwards, with Ezequiel Lavezzi ruled out for three weeks on Saturday with a hamstring tear, while captain Thiago Silva has yet to play this term due to a thigh injury.

PSG are looking for their opening win in Group F after drawing 1-1 at Ajax in their opening match, while Barca will hope to build on their 1-0 triumph over APOEL.

They warmed up for the trip to France with a 6-0 mauling of Granada at the weekend, a match which saw Neymar net a hat-trick and Lionel Messi pass 400 official goals for club and country with a brace.

Barca boss Enrique told reporters that Ibrahimovic's absence will not make a difference to how he sets up against a PSG side he is wary of - even if they are missing the talismanic Swede.

Luis Enrique: Speaking at Paris press conference

"Our plan doesn't change with Ibra's injury. They're still a dangerous team," he said on the club's official Twitter account.

"I expect that PSG will play right with us. We'll see what their offence can do."

Barca's backline will have to deal with whatever PSG throw at them without new recruit Douglas after he picked up an injury in training on Sunday.

Martin Montoya takes his place in the squad, while the Catalan giants are still waiting for Luis Suarez to complete his ban before he can make his bow for the club.

Given their impressive start to the season Enrique is understandably in good spirits heading into the Group F encounter, but he has warned his players they will have to be at their best.

"This game is important and we know that to win it we'll have to show our best stuff," he added.

Watch PSG v Barcelona live on Sky Sports 1 at 7.45pm.

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