In the heart of the French capital, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) eagerly anticipates hosting the reigning Premier League leaders, Liverpool, at the iconic Parc des Princes. The first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter that could serve as a litmus test for PSG’s prowess on the European stage.
PSG walks into this two-leg clash in a blistering form, which could potentially tip the balance in their favor. The team’s head coach, Luis Enrique, is ready to deploy his almost fully-fit squad in this crucial match, with a keen focus on tactics that could outmaneuver their formidable opponents. Enrique, however, has indicated that midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery is not yet at peak fitness, despite his return.
Let’s delve into a possible starting lineup for PSG in this high-stakes game.
Between the sticks, we find Gianluigi Donnarumma, the Italian custodian who boasts two consecutive clean sheets in the Champions League, mirroring his record from the eight league phase games.
At right back, Achraf Hakimi is expected to feature, having recently netted two goals against Lyon. His attacking prowess could pose a significant threat to Liverpool.
The central defense is likely to be marshaled by Captain Marquinhos, who found the net in the last Ligue 1 match. His leadership is pivotal among the young players in the squad. Partnering Marquinhos may be Willian Pacho, who seems a logical choice given his starts in the last two Champions League matches.
Nuno Mendes should be occupying the left-back position. Mendes, rested after playing 60 minutes in the last game, offers an additional attacking option from the defensive line.
In midfield, we may see the Spanish maestro, Fabian Ruiz, who despite recently playing a full 90 minutes against Lille, brings much-needed experience to the young forward line. Portuguese midfielder Vitinha, often overlooked despite being one of the best in the world, is crucial in controlling midfield dynamics. Desire Doue could complete the midfield trio, given his impressive form that makes it challenging to sideline him.
The forward line could see Bradley Barcola, the scorer of the first goal against Lille, taking up the right wing. Although his preferred position is on the left, his versatility allows him to switch flanks effectively.
Frenchman Ousmane Dembele, though not a traditional striker, is one of Europe’s top scorers and could feature up front. Dembele has been in lethal form, scoring in his last three games.
Left-wing might be occupied by Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who only played the last 25 minutes of the previous match. Kvaratskhelia is likely to relish the opportunity to take on Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.