PSG will be keen to get their title defence back on track when they welcome Angers to Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Defending Ligue 1 champions PSG will be keen to put their defeat to Lens behind them and rediscover that winning touch when they take on Angers at Parc des Princes on Wednesday.
Angers are rock bottom in Ligue 1 and currently have the worst defensive record of any side in the league. This is in stark contrast to Paris Saint-Germain, who are top and have the best attack in the league. It is fair to say that goals will be on the offing in the French capital.
Christophe Galtier’s side have looked rusty since the World Cup hiatus and are yet to hit top gear. The loss to Lens earlier this month ended their aura of invincibility. But Angers will have to play out of their skins to achieve the same result.
A much-changed PSG side defeat Chateauroux 3-1 midweek and are expected to reintegrate their top players this weekend. Having picked up 22 points from a maximum of 24 at home, PSG are a formidable outfit at home. In fact, their last loss at the Parc des Princes in the league was against Galtier’s LOSC Lille in 2021.
The disparity in quality between both teams is apparent on paper and it should be a cakewalk for a star-studded PSG side. Unless Angers can put in the performance of their lives, the game is more or less a foregone conclusion. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
🆗📄 The Parisian squad to face Angers on Wednesday
🔜🏟 #PSGSCO pic.twitter.com/cEze1sT9lO
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 10, 2023
For the first time post the World Cup, PSG can call upon their vaunted front three, all of whom are back in contention. Lionel Messi will be in high spirits following his crowning moment in Qatar and will be keen to continue from where he left off for the club.
Kylian Mbappe earned himself a well-needed rest against Chateauroux, while Neymar is also available after his suspension. Marco Verratti was also back available after his suspension but has been committed from the matchday squad owing to a training injury.
Presnel Kimpembe and Nuno Mendes are still sidelined while Renato Sanches continues to struggle with injuries. Nordi Mukiele also appears to have recovered from his injury scare at the weekend and should step in for the suspended Achraf Hakimi.
PSG are likely to set up in a 4-3-1-2 formation that makes full use of their attacking prowess. Gianluigi Donnarumma should start in goal behind the back four of Mukiele, Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos and Juan Bernat. The left-back, in particular, will be in good spirits following his goal against Chateauroux.
Marco Verratti’s absence will see Vitinha take on the midfield general’s role alongside Fabian Ruiz and Carlos Soler in the middle of the park. Lionel Messi should reprise his number 10 role with Mbappe and Neymar leading the line. Unless Angers show spine, they could be in for a hiding at the Parc des Princes.
Probable Lineup (4-1-3-2): Donnarumma; Mukiele, Ramos, Marquinhos, Bernat; Soler, Vitinha, Ruiz; Messi, Neymar, Mbappe
Angers
As if their task was not hard enough, Angers could be without several players on the night. This includes FIFA World Cup 2022 hero and midfield sensation, Azzedine Ounahi, who is attracting attention from several clubs across the continent.
The French minnows were also pictured in training without several stars in the midst. This includes Ilyes Chetti, Farid El Melali, Ibrahim Amadou, Yan Valery, Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Halid Sabanovic. Yahia Fofana and Zinedine Ould trained separately but should be in contention to feature.
La conférence de presse d’avant-match #PSGSCO en présence du portier Paul Bernardoni et du Coach 𝐁𝐨𝐮𝐡𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐦𝐚.
⌚️ À partir de 14h45
📱 Live-tweet
📺 Disponible sur SCOTV dans l’après-midi pic.twitter.com/Ubgf6aBkle— Angers SCO (@AngersSCO) January 10, 2023
Abdallah Sima and Sofiane Boufal could return to action as Abdel Bouhazama’s side chase an unlikely point or more. He is likely to set the visitors up in a 4-2-3-1 formation on the night and try to apply pressure on Messi and the PSG midfield.
Paul Bernardoni should start in goal behind the back four of Abdoulaye Bamba, Cedric Hountondji, Miha Blazic and Souleyman Doumbia. Batista Mendy and Nabil Bentaleb will form the double pivot in midfield with the trio of Farid El Melali, Adrien Hunou and Sima playing upfield. Sada Thioub is expected to start upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bernardoni; Bamba, Hountondji, Blazic, Doumbia; Mendy, Bentaleb; Sima, Hunou, El Melali; Thioub
Key Stats
- PSG are unbeaten against Angers in their last 23 meetings. This is the longest unbeaten run the Parisians have managed against any opposition in Ligue 1.
- PSG’s 12-game winning streak against Angers is the longest such run the club has managed against any current side in the top flight. PSG have won their last eight home games against Angers in Ligue 1, the longest run against another side in the French top flight.
- PSG have not lost two Ligue 1 games in a row since 2020/21.
- Angers have conceded 37 goals in 17 games in Ligue 1 so far this season. This is the most of any side in the French top flight this season and the club’s worst return since the 1970/71 campaign at the corresponding stage.
- PSG have not lost a home game in Ligue 1 since April 2021.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
The Argentine legend has largely cemented his spot in footballing folklore with his World Cup win. Now back in France, Messi will be keen to add further numbers to what had been a generational career.
His vision and ability to waltz past defences should create enough opportunities for Neymar and Mbappe, who have both built a solid rapport with the 35-year-old. Messi will also be at the top of his game and will be keen to help PSG pull away in the title race.
Stepping out in front of the PSG crowd for the first time since the triumph in Qatar, Messi will be keen to electrify the PSG supporters and put his side firmly in the driving seat for yet another Ligue 1 title.
Prediction
PSG 4-0 Angers
Pitting the best attack in the league against the worst defence can only go one way. More so, PSG have also got back their indomitable front three, which should make life all the more difficult for the visitors. Anything less than a dominant win for the hosts will come as a surprise. The Hard Tackle predicts a 4-0 rout for Christophe Galtier’s charges.
