Paris Saint-Germain prepared for the upcoming league trip to Brest in the worst possible way, limping out of the Champions League to Bayern Munich on Wednesday night while losing two key defenders to injury in the process.
Club captain Marquinhos had felt discomfort in his rib cage since he was forced off against Nantes last Saturday but insisted on playing through the pain for the all-important European tie in Bavaria.
The Brazilian centre-back lasted 35 minutes before he gave in to the agony, hobbling off before Bayern scored both their goals - although, his replacement spent even less time on the pitch.
Nordi Mukiele could only make it to the half-time interval before the complaints of a hamstring problem he had been carrying into the fixture proved too much, giving way to 17-year-old El Chadaille Bitshiabu, who played Marco Verratti into trouble in the build-up to Bayern's first goal of the night.
Presnel Kimpembe is yet another defensive absentee for Christophe Galtier to juggle after the left-footed centre-back was forced to undergo surgery on an Achilles tendon which he ruptured during a victory over Marseille last month.
PSG's prized asset Neymar has also been under the knife to treat extensive damage to his right ankle which has long been a problem area - the world's most expensive player has missed over 100 club games since his record-breaking move in 2017 and is set to sit out another three to four months.
Renato Sanches made it onto the bench against his former club Bayern Munich in midweek but was not called upon, as Galtier is wary of rushing the 25-year-old after a month out with a hamstring issue.
Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe have spearheaded a two-pronged attack for PSG in Neymar's absence but could only muster one shot on target between them against Bayern Munich in midweek – however, Messi and Mbappe can boast a combined 31 Ligue 1 goals, four more than the entire Brest squad.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Pereira, Ramos, Bitshiabu; Hakimi, Zaire-Emery, Verratti, Vitinha, Mendes; Messi, Mbappe
Grey Whitebloom
