After their insipid mid-week performance in the Champions League, Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain host Lyon on Sunday night. PSG have had a spectacular start to the league, winning all five of their opening matches, that too by huge margins.
But, they had a blip mid-week when they could only draw 1-1 against Belgian side Club Brugge. They will be expected to win their domestic encounter, but Lyon will be competitive and perhaps be the Paris side’s biggest test in the league this season.
Let’s take a look at the possible PSG lineup for tonight’s game against Lyon.
Team News
Several of manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team stars will be unavailable for Sunday’s game due to injury. Defenders Sergio Ramos, Layvin Kurzawa, Colin Dagba and Juan Bernat will miss out, while midfielder Marco Verratti is also out at the moment. But, Idrissa Gueye and Angel di Maria – who missed the mid-week game through suspension – will return to the PSG squad for the Lyon game.
Kylian Mbappe could also be a doubt after he picked up a knock in the Champions League game.
Goalkeeper
Pochettino has two world-class goalkeepers in Keylor Navas and Gianluigi Donnarumma. Donnarumma made his PSG debut last weekend against Clermont Foot but Navas played in the Champions League game. The Italian could once again start in the PSG lineup.
Defence
Captain Marquinhos and Frenchman Presnel Kimpembe should start at the back for PSG, while Thilo Kehrer could be an option off the bench for the game against Lyon. Abdou Diallo and Achraf Hakimi have started at left-back and right-back, respectively, in all five league games so far and they should keep their place in the PSG lineup.
Nuno Mendes could be an option off the bench for the left-back spot.
Midfield
Pochettino has plenty of options to choose from for the three midfield positions for the Lyon game. The return of Idrissa Gueye adds stability to the defensive aspect of the PSG side. Gueye could return to the side in place of Leandro Paredes, while Ander Herrera is certain to keep his place after scoring thrice in the last two games.
Georginio Wijnaldum could get the nod ahead of Danilo Pereira and Paredes as the third midfielder in the side.
Attack
Lionel Messi and Neymar will surely start, on the right and left, respectively. Sunday should be Messi’s first league start for PSG. Pochettino may give Mbappe a break and bring in Mauro Icardi to the PSG lineup.
