Paris Saint-Germain narrowly secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 and are now turning their attention to their upcoming Ligue 1 match against Lille on Sunday. The dramatic equalizer from Warren Zaire-Emery in their match against Borussia Dortmund, combined with AC Milan’s victory over Newcastle, helped PSG secure their place in the knockout stages. With two more league games to go before the year ends, PSG is focused on ending 2023 on a positive note.
As the Paris-based club takes on Lille, currently positioned fourth in Ligue 1, manager Luis Enrique is strategizing his starting XI for the crucial match. With their Champions League campaign hanging in the balance at one point, PSG is determined to maintain their momentum and finish the year on a high note.
In the upcoming match, we may see goalkeeper Arnau Tenas stepping up in the absence of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who is serving a suspension following a red card in a previous match. Donnarumma’s replacement in the last game, Tenas, made seven crucial saves, showcasing his potential to anchor PSG’s defense in the upcoming fixture.
Achraf Hakimi, who was recently named in 90min’s Champions League team of the group stage for his outstanding performances as a right-back, is likely to retain his position in the starting XI. Additionally, the center-back pair of Danilo Pereira and Milan Skriniar will be crucial in fortifying PSG’s defense against Lille’s attacking threats.
The left-back position is expected to be occupied by Lucas Hernandez, who has been consistent but is striving to win over the PSG fans who initially expressed their displeasure about his signing. In the midfield, Warren Zaire-Emery, who played a pivotal role in PSG’s Champions League advancement, is anticipated to play alongside Manuel Ugarte and Vitinha, both of whom are eager to contribute to PSG’s success.
In the attacking third, Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, along with the prolific Kylian Mbappe, will be instrumental in creating scoring opportunities and capitalizing on Lille’s defensive vulnerabilities. Despite a brief goal drought, Mbappe is eager to showcase his scoring prowess once again and lead PSG’s frontline.
As PSG prepares to face Lille, the squad is determined to carry forward the positive energy from their Champions League qualification. With their collective flair, skill, and determination, the Parisian giants are eager to secure a crucial victory in the Ligue 1 encounter and head into the year-end break with a sense of achievement and confidence.
