Luis Enrique is under a lot of pressure following another dismal European night. PSG will now look to bounce back with a win against Nantes.
PSG and their position in the UEFA Champions League table does not look good after the fifth matchday as they get set to take on Nantes in Ligue 1. Luis Enrique’s side has accumulated only four points from five games so far in the league phase. They succumbed to a third loss in the competition, this time to Bayern Munich, who inflicted fresh wounds on their chances.
Kim Min-jae’s first-half header from close range gave Bayern the lead, and as PSG searched for an equaliser, their chance of getting one suffered a blow due to Ousmane Dembele’s sending off. The French winger saw red, which gave the home side the impetus in the game, as the Bavarians managed to keep hold of their slender lead until the end.
As PSG continued their domination in Ligue 1, where they are comfortably at the summit with a healthy six-point advantage over second-placed AS Monaco, their European form has caused distress. In the Champions League, there are three more rounds left, and PSG have a mountain to climb to ensure they finish at least within the 24th spot in the standings.
Meanwhile, Nantes find themselves in a difficult spot in Ligue 1 ahead of the game against PSG. They currently occupy the relegation playoff spot with 10 points from 12 games. There have been many criticisms directed at manager Antoine Kombouare following yet another disappointing result at home, as they could not capitalise on their lion’s share of possession against Le Havre.
That loss last weekend made it nine Ligue 1 games without a win for Nantes, as their most recent one came against Montpellier back at the end of August. So one might assume the big pressure on their manager to get some results on board and take the team out of their incredible slump towards the midtable.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
Luis Enrique will only have a few headaches picking up his best team for this clash, although some players are returning to the starting lineup after missing recent games.
Lucas Hernandez and Presnel Kimbembe remain long-term absentees, and they were joined on the sidelines by young star Senny Mayulu. In what was a necessary boost for Enrique ahead of their crunch clash against Bayern Munich, striker Goncalo Ramos returned to the squad.
The weekend might be a good time to start integrating him back into the starting eleven. Enrique will have Marquinhos available again after a suspension, while left-back Nuno Mendes should also come straight into the lineup after a recent ankle problem.
Further at the back, Enrique is expected to axe Matvey Safonov after the keeper gifted Bayern Munich their goal, as Gianluigi Donnarumma should feature between the sticks.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Masrquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Joao Neves; Dembele, Asensio, Barcola; Ramos
Nantes
There are some positives as wel as concerns with this Nantes squad ahead of this trip to Paris. They are able to call on veteran defender Nicolas Pallois again after he served a suspension, although they will be without Tino Kadewere and Marcus Coco ahead of this game.
Last weekend also saw the long-awaited return of Fabien Centonze. However, given his performance in that game, as he scored his own goal after coming off the bench, it is unlikely to put him in the manager’s plans to start. Given the magnitude of this game, irrespective of the size of the opponent.
Nantes will come to Paris to take on PSG with their strongest eleven to ensure they have maximised their potential. They will set out the usual 4-2-3-1 shape, with Mostafa Mohamed leading the line. Matthis Abline and Moses Simon feature in the attacking third alongside Johann Lepenant. The manager will prefer a midfield partnership of Douglas Augusto and Pedro Chirivella.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lafont; Amian, Zeze, Castelletto, Cozza; Chirivella, Augusto; Simon, Lepenant, Abline; Mohamed
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain have won 26 of their last 29 matches against Nantes in all competitions.
- Paris Saint-Germain have scored at least 2 goals in 35 of their last 44 matches in Ligue 1.
- Nantes are winless in their last 9 Ligue 1 games.
- Nantes have lost their last 4 Ligue 1 games in a row.
Player to Watch
Goncalo Ramos
Ramos has been missing in action since the opening day of the Ligue 1 season as an ankle injury suffered in that game has kept him. While his return was a pleasant surprise that Enrique could make do with, it is still earlier than projected as he was only expected to come back later in the year.
In any case, PSG have struggled in front of goal to a certain degree, and now Enrique might be in a position to use the Portuguese forward in his starting eleven. Ramos has to show from the off that he has not lost his scoring touch, as his goals could impact later in the season when they wrap up the Champions League league phase games.
Prediction
PSG 3-0 Nantes
Nantes are in a terrible run of form and are steadily showing signs of entering the relegation zone once and for all to stay there. Their manager will come under big pressure to get a result in Paris, although that is unlikely going to be the case, as the hosts are the overwhelming favvourites to take three points.
Enrique will obviously be looking for a big response from his men ahead of Saturday after another loss in the Champions League in midweek. The manager does have the players and domestic form to come into this clash as the clear-cut favourites to win and even keep a clean sheet at the end of the ninety minutes.
