Paris Saint-Germain will be aiming to extend their winning run to four games in all competitions when they take on Nantes on Saturday.
Following a mixed start to the year, Paris Saint-Germain are enjoying an excellent start to February. They are currently on a run of three consecutive wins in all competitions, including a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the first leg of the Round of 16 encounter in the UEFA Champions League.
PSG are in even better touch in the league, securing wins in all of their last four matches. It has helped them retain their healthy 13-point lead over second-placed Marseille. And Mauricio Pochettino will be aiming to improve on that record when his team takes on Nantes at Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday.
Currently sitting in a mid-table position, Nantes are enjoying a relatively better season after finishing in a relegation playoff spot last term. With 35 points on the board, they are firmly out of the relegation scrap and could potentially enter the top eight if they can secure an upset against PSG this weekend.
The Canaries certainly have what it takes to take on PSG, having won four of their last five matches in all competitions. They did lose 3-1 in the reverse fixture, but Antoine Kombouare’s men should feel more confident at home, in front of the 15,000 odd supporters that are likely to be allowed at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Here, at The Hard Tackle, we will run the rule over these two sides ahead of this crucial encounter in Ligue 1 this weekend.
Team News & Tactics
Nantes
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— FC Nantes (@FCNantes) February 17, 2022
Antoine Kombouare favours a three-man defensive system with the wing-backs providing the width going forward. However, given the quality of the opposition, he may have to shift to a five-man defensive setup, with less emphasis on attacking the opposition through the flanks.
That said, the wide attackers in Randal Kolo Muani and Moses Simon will look to utilise the space left behind by the marauding PSG full-backs. They could hope for additional support from the wing-backs, but the onus will be largely on them and central striker Ludovic Blas to form an attacking trifecta that will look to put pressure on the PSG defence.
In midfield, Samuel Moutoussamy remains a likely absentee, which should prompt Kombouare to persist with the double-pivot of Andrei Girotto and Pedro Chirivella. Their combination could be vital in Nantes’s bid to cripple PSG’s build-up in midfield, especially when it comes to denying the ball-carriers the opportunity to offer transition in the final third.
As for the defensive unit, the two wing-backs in Fabio and Quentin Merlin, as mentioned earlier, are likely to operate in a defensive role, aiding the back three consisting of Dennis Appiah, Jean-Charles Castelletto and Nicolas Pallois.
Appiah could be slotted into a right-back position if Kombouare opts for a four-man backline, with the right wing-back Fabio likely to be replaced by Wylan Cyprien in midfield.
Probable Lineup (5-2-3): Lafont; Fabio, Appiah, Castelletto, Pallois, Merlin; Girotto, Chirivella; Kolo Muani, Blas, Simon
PSG
PSG were given a massive boost in midweek, with the return of Neymar. The Brazilian had featured from the bench against Real Madrid and might be in contention for a start against Nantes this weekend.
Neymar’s inclusion in the starting eleven could see the return of the fabled attacking trifecta of him, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe. It will be interesting to see whether the combination of these three footballing superstars can solve PSG’s issues when it comes to breaking the shackles of the opposition.
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— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 17, 2022
The three may also have a star-studded supporting cast in midfield, led by the charismatic figure of Marco Verratti. The Italian is one of PSG’s most important players due to his ability to carry the ball in half-spaces. He can also make driving runs forward, establishing himself as a passing option in the final third.
While Verratti remains a guaranteed starter, Pochettino may ring in the changes, with Leandro Paredes and Danilo set to make way for Georginio Wijnaldum and Idrissa Gueye. The rotation should offer more stability in the middle of the park, ultimately helping PSG retain possession quite well against a side likely to defend deep.
As for the defence, Sergio Ramos remains a doubt and is unlikely to start against Nantes. His prolonged absence from the starting eleven could leave the PSG backline unchanged, with Marquinhos leading a back-four consisting of him, Presnel Kimpembe, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, though Gianluigi Donnarumma may have to make way for Keylor Navas in goal.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Navas; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes; Verratti, Gueye, Wijnaldum; Messi, Mbappe, Neymar
Key Stats
- Nantes have lost 46% of their Ligue 1 games against PSG, their highest rate of loss against a top-flight opponent. Les Canaris have lost 18 of their last 20 encounters against PSG in the league.
- PSG have lost just once in their last 31 Ligue 1 games, with their only loss coming against Rennes on 3 October.
- Nantes have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 21 Ligue 1 games against PSG (52 overall), their longest such streak ever against a top-flight opponent.
- Nantes have picked up 35 points after 24 league games this season, doing better only twice since their last French top-flight title in 2000/01 (when they had 40); in 2017/18 and 2003/04 (37).
- Nantes have won six of their last nine home Ligue 1 games, as many as in their previous 31.
Player to Watch
Lionel Messi
Xavi: “Criticism to Messi? It’s normal for there to be criticism of Messi being where he is. If you only take the penalty then there are, but for me he will always be the best.” pic.twitter.com/SPhHUZHlZj
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 16, 2022
While Kylian Mbappe grabbed a lot of attention after securing a late winner against Real Madrid, the spotlight will be on Lionel Messi after he missed a crucial penalty at the Santiago Bernabeu. In fact, it was yet another average display from the Argentine, who is yet to provide a sense of consistency with his performances for PSG so far.
The upcoming game against Nantes gives the Argentine international the opportunity to once again find his form ahead of a couple of important encounters in Ligue 1 as well as the second leg tie against Real Madrid. With Neymar fully fit again, it could be an excellent time for Messi to showcase his magic and help PSG establish themselves as the team to beat in Europe.
Prediction
Nantes 0-3 PSG
PSG have an extremely dominant record against Nantes, and it is hard to imagine anything other than another win for Les Parisiens this weekend. With Neymar regaining full fitness, the visitors should have the extra firepower they need to continue their winning momentum, though it won’t be surprising to see the hosts causing a few problems on the counter.
