Blanc: Cavani was bad against Barcelona

The coach and his striker have endured a difficult relationship of late, and the former World Cup winner has again criticised the ex-Napoli star
Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc has sparked fresh doubts about Edinson Cavani's future after claiming that the striker had a "bad game" against Barcelona and that his regular goal droughts are "inexplicable".

The capital club suffered a 3-1 defeat in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with the Catalans, with Cavani failing to step up to the mark in the absence of PSG's star forward, the suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Cavani, who has not scored in Ligue 1 since January 18, copped plenty of flak for his performance at the Parc des Princes and Blanc has conceded that the Uruguay international had failed to do his job.

"For a striker, his value is related to his goals and our strikers didn't score against Barca, so it's disappointing," the World Cup winner told reporters on Friday.

"Cavani had a bad game. Like all goalscorers, he is angry when he doesn’t score.

"There are players like that, who go some weeks without scoring. It's inexplicable.

"But I see is that he created chances, so that's a good sign."

Cavani has been heavily linked with an exit from PSG in the summer but Blanc will be hoping he rediscovers his goalscoring touch against Nice on Saturday. PSG are again without Ibrahimovic and are trailing Ligue 1 leaders Lyon by two points - albeit with a game in hand.

PSG will also be without a number of other key players.

"Thiago Silva is out, even though his thigh injury [suffered against Barca] isn't as bad as expected," Blanc added.

"He underwent exams today so we’ll have confirmation of the nature of his injuries soon.

"Marco Verratti is suspended and Ibra also. I hope the list of absentees will stop there.

"David Luiz did not train yesterday. Like the other players, he finished the Barca game in a high state of exhaustion.

"The Champions League has a particular scent, which we love tasting. But we must be prepared and determined in the league."