Blanc to ring changes for Shakhtar clash

Posted Tuesday, December 08, 2015 by Foxsports.com

Blanc to ring changes for Shakhtar clash
With second place in Group A guaranteed regardless of the result in their final game, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Laurent Blanc admits he will rest certain players.

Despite having a better goal difference than Real Madrid at the top of the group, PSG cannot overtake the La Liga side because of the head-to-head method used to sort teams in the Champions League group stage and the fact they were unable to beat Real in either of their games.

And with Shakhtar seven points behind the French champions, they will finish second in the group no matter what happens on Tuesday night.

"Certain players have been bothered by some niggling injuries, so I'll have to make some changes," Blanc told the club's website. "We also need to think about our schedule and rest a few of the lads. In this sense, it's good that we're playing the final game at home, assured of our place in the next round.

"We're taking on a good team whose philosophy is very similar to our own. We can't forget that it's a Champions League match. My team's determination will be the same it has been since the beginning of the season.

"What stopped us from being able to top the group was the lack of effectiveness we displayed in Madrid. Now it's too late, but nonetheless we're hoping to end this phase of the competition well in front of our own fans and against a good team. The team I field tomorrow will be going for the win."