PSG will look to consolidate their place at the top of Champions League Group H when they welcome a confident Benfica to the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
An entertaining draw between PSG and Benfica only a week ago felt like a fair result, and it preserved both teams’ undefeated starts to their respective seasons. But PSG may fancy themselves to break Benfica’s incredible record when the Portuguese giants make the trip to Parc des Princes for the repeat of last week’s Champions League Group H fixture on Tuesday night.
Both teams are tied on seven points in the group ahead of this crucial encounter, and the winner is likely to seal a place in the knockout stages. Juventus’s meeting with Maccabi Haifa, which takes place before kick-off at Parc des Princes, may rack up the tension on both sides here.
After a seamless start to the season, cracks appear to be finally brewing in PSG’s well-oiled machine. Kylian Mbappe’s prima donna mentality has come to the fore in recent weeks, with the attacker acting extremely selfish on the pitch at times and getting into minor skirmishes with teammates.
Mbappe also recently uploaded an Instagram post in which he seemed to suggest he was dissatisfied with his role in the squad, which followed statements he made before the international break, calling PSG coach Christophe Galtier’s tactics into question.
🚨 Kylian Mbappé is not happy playing in the position Christophe Galtier plays him at PSG, because it does not correspond to the promises made to him when he signed his new contract before the season.
(Source: Le Parisian) pic.twitter.com/69PE2OrSkA
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) October 10, 2022
Nevertheless, back to matters on the pitch, PSG dropped points for the second time this season, drawing 0-0 with Reims at the weekend. They have drawn their last two games and will aim to get back on track on Tuesday.
However, that will not be a piece of cake by any means, when considering the amazing season that Benfica are having. The Portuguese giants were on a thirteen-match winning streak before consecutive draws with Vitoria SC and PSG. But they returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory against Rio Ave at the weekend.
The Eagles have yet to lose a game since the arrival of new boss Roger Schmidt, who is living up to the hype of his early Bayer Leverkusen days. The Portuguese giants are riding high at the top of the Primeira Liga and are brimming with confidence heading into this game.
Their fearless performances against PSG and Juventus have suggested that they could be a real nuisance for the elite in the Champions League this season. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Paris Saint-Germain
🆗📄
The Parisian squad 🆚 @SLBenfica 🔴🔵#PSGSLB I #UCL pic.twitter.com/IHIQ4YFS4J
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 10, 2022
PSG are expected to be without star man Lionel Messi once more owing to the calf injury he suffered last week at Estadio da Luz. Nuno Mendes has also joined the treatment room owing to a hamstring problem, where he has Presnel Kimpembe and Renato Sanches for company.
Gianluigi Donnarumma remains the automatic starter between the sticks, with PSG lining up in Christophe Galtier’s preferred 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 system.
Sergio Ramos was sent off for the 28th time in his career against Reims but will be eligible here. The Spaniard should start, with Marquinhos a reliable presence at the heart of the back-three. Danilo would much rather start as a defensive midfielder, but he is currently tasked with filling in for the injured Kimpembe.
In Mendes’s absence, Juan Bernat should line up as the left wing-back, with the enterprising Achraf Hakimi slotting on the opposite side. Vitinha will return to playing XI after starting the game against Reims on the bench. He will form a midfield pivot alongside the press-resistant Marco Verratti, sending Fabian Ruiz back to the bench in the process.
In attack, both Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are a joy to watch when in full flow, and could be deadly in tandem. However, both of them performed poorly on their last outing in a PSG shirt, and they will need to put their ego battles aside since the onus will be on them in Messi’s absence. Pablo Sarabia will complete the attacking front three, deputising for the Argentine.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Donnarumma; Ramos, Marquinhos, Danilo; Hakimi, Vitinha, Verratti, Bernat; Sarabia, Mbappe, Neymar
SL Benfica
Benfica
Lucas Verissimo (knee), Joao Victor (knock), and Morato (ankle) are all sidelined for Benfica with respective injury problems. Manager Roger Schmidt will likely name the same XI that started last week’s 1-1 draw. They gave PSG a run for their money in the reverse fixture and will put up a similar game plan here. The Eagles will likely employ a 4-2-3-1 system against PSG, with Odysseas Vlachodimos in goal for the visitors.
18-year-old central defender Antonio Silva, who is earning admiring glances from top clubs like Real Madrid and Manchester United following his excellent Champions League displays, is expected to play alongside veteran Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the Benfica defence. Alexander Bah and Alejandro Grimaldo will flank the centre-backs, with the latter renowned for his set-piece ability and quality crossing.
✈️🇫🇷#PSGSLB pic.twitter.com/6W51sQImyG
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) October 10, 2022
Florentino Luis will be key in the holding midfield role. The Portuguese ace’s defensive work rate coupled with his aggression and positional sense often makes him vital to Benfica’s second line of press. He will be partnered by the much more creative-minded Enzo Fernández.
Rafa Silva is pivotal to the way Schmidt’s side operates. The attacking midfielder has been in sublime form, while his exceptional creative running, nifty feet, close control, and dazzling dribbling more often than not create open spaces for winger Joao Mario and David Neres to charge into.
Further, Goncalo Ramos remains a potent goal threat for Benfica, having netted a brace in the win over Rio Ave. He offers a very good work ethic to initiate a front-foot press and has the ability to link play with his hold-up attributes. Julian Draxler will remain on the bench and will likely be used as an impact sub against his former club.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Bah, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Grimaldo; Florentino, Fernandez; Neres, R. Silva, Mario; Ramos
Key Stats
- Paris Saint-Germain have hosted Benfica on three previous occasions in European competition, with the French side going undefeated in all three (W2 D1).
- The hosts have won each of their last five home games in the UEFA Champions League and could equal their longest winning run at home in the competition (six games).
- PSG have not lost a game in any competition since March this year.
- Benfica are unbeaten in their last four away games in the UEFA Champions League (W2 D2), their longest undefeated streak on the road in the competition.
- Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has only lost one of his previous 12 games as a manager in the UEFA Champions League (W4 D7).
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
There have been some concerns over Mbappe’s attitude in recent times after he criticised Christophe Galtier’s tactics. But he continues to be prolific for PSG in front of goal and is their joint top-scorer alongside Neymar with 11 goals in all competitions.
This is on top of his three goals in as many Champions League matches so far this season. In the absence of Lionel Messi, the onus will be on Mbappe to deliver the goods in the final third after scoring a blank against Reims. But the 23-year-old might not disappoint here.
Having scored 30 goals in 47 Champions League appearances for PSG, Mbappe is only a goal away from becoming the club’s top scorer in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, surpassing Edinson Cavani in the process.
Prediction
Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Benfica
Both teams are undefeated across all competitions this campaign. Such a streak is anticipated from a giant like PSG, but Benfica are making a name for themselves as a real dark horse in Europe this term. And the Portuguese giants are strong contenders to qualify from this group along with their opponents here, ahead of the Italian giants Juventus.
This one is likely to be tight again and should feature both sides scoring. And it may require a moment of magic to decide this contest between two unbeaten giants. Lionel Messi provided that with a trademark curler a week ago, but it will be interesting to see who steps up in the Argentine’s absence to grace the game in Paris.
PSG’s backline is prone to occasional lapses in concentration. But Neymar and Kylian Mbappe are renowned for conjuring up game-changing moments in the heat of the moment. And The Hard Tackle expects the reigning French champions to edge a close battle at Parc des Princes.
