Paris Saint-Germain will aim to put one foot in the knockout rounds of the Champions League on Tuesday evening when they host Benfica at Parc des Princes.
Les Parisians are currently top of the group on seven points after three games, level on points with second-placed Benfica, with the two teams playing out an absorbing 1-1 draw in the reverse game in Portugal last week.
Christophe Galtier’s side will head into this European tie off the back of a goalless draw with Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday, and the French tactician will expect a response from his boys in midweek.
Paris Saint-Germain Team News
Lionel Messi picked up a calf problem in the latter stages of the game against Benfica and subsequently missed the 0-0 draw with Reims last weekend. However, the Paris Saint-Germain medical staff reportedly remain hopeful of seeing the Argentinean playmaker resume training on Monday.
Nuno Mendes has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, joining Presnel Kimpembe and Renato Sanches on the sidelines.
Predicted PSG lineup vs Benfica (3-4-2-1)
Goalkeeper
Gianluigi Donnarumma will be the last line of the PSG defence, hoping to put in a solid display between the sticks against Benfica.
Defence
Christophe Galtier is set to stick with the 3-4-2-1 formation, with a back three of Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Danilo Pereira expected to start in the PSG lineup in front of Donnarumma. The defensive trio will need to work really hard to keep a clean sheet in midweek.
Nordi Mukiele should offer cover for the defensive positions.
Midfield
Vitinha has secured his place in the middle of the park in the PSG lineup with a series of strong displays under Galtier. The Portuguese is a certainty to start after coming on as a substitute in the 0-0 draw with Reims.
Partnering Vitinha in the centre of the pitch will be Marco Verratti, whose passing ability and game-reading skills will be key in controlling the game against Benfica. How the double pivot of Vitinha and Verratti performs on the night should go a long way in deciding the fate of this tie.
Achraf Hakimi could get a chance to impress at right wing-back in the PSG lineup while Juan Bernat fills in on the other flank for the injured Nuno Mendes. Both the wing-backs will get the license to bomb forward and express themselves in the Benfica half.
Attack
Galtier is unlikely to risk Lionel Messi from the get-go, which means a start for Pablo Sarabia is on the cards. Sarabia would be eager to impress if handed an opportunity on Tuesday night. Along with the Spaniard, Neymar will have to carry the creative burden for PSG in the final third.
Kylian Mbappe is in red-hot form and should lead the PSG lineup. After failing to score against Reims, the Frenchman will be desperate to trouble the Benfica defenders and get himself on the scoresheet.
