Bastia vs Paris Saint Germain preview - Blanc: It's not been easy

Posted Saturday, January 10, 2015 by PA

Paris St Germain manager Laurent Blanc has insisted life and football must go on as a horrifying week continues to unfold in the French capital.

After 12 died in an attack on the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday, two hostage situations were developing on Friday as Paris remained on edge.

But amid the tension there has been public defiance against the terrorist threat, and Blanc reflected that on Friday as he spoke ahead of his team's trip to Corsica, where they face Bastia on Saturday.

"It hasn't been easy to work in these conditions, as with everyone, for everyone French," Blanc said. "But life continues, we're obliged to work, to train, even if the context isn't joyous."

Speaking in his Friday lunchtime press conference, according to L'Equipe, Blanc added: "We gathered together on Thursday at midday on the training pitch, to observe a minute's silence. Football is no different to society."

His press conference was also preceded by a minute's silence, and Blanc added: "Solidarity is present everywhere today. Footballers are people above all. They are not insensitive to what's happened. But life continues, work continues."

Blanc said he would leave Uruguayan Edinson Cavani and Argentinian Ezequiel Lavezzi in Paris, as he punishes the pair for returning late from the winter break. Both have been linked with January moves away from the Parc des Princes.

"These two players have done something unacceptable," Blanc said. "It's a total lack of respect towards the club.

"It's to be expected that the decision to punish them was unanimous."

Blanc said both have "worked well" in training this week and have been "professional", but added: "I would have liked them to be like that beforehand."

Bastia have lost heavily at home to Paris St Germain in the last two seasons, suffering a 3-0 defeat last term and a 4-0 loss in the previous campaign.

Their coach, Ghislain Printant, said: "Two years ago we held them for five minutes, last season for six."

He added: "I have the sense that my players are ready. I've seen some good signs."