PSG will be keen to get their Ligue 1 title defence back on track when they welcome Reims to the French capital on Sunday.
Defending champions PSG will welcome an in-form Reims side to the Parc des Princes on Sunday as they seek to strengthen their grip at the summit of Ligue 1.
Christophe Galtier’s side started the campaign well and looked unstoppable before the FIFA World Cup. However, the new year has brought with it new challenges, and PSG are reeling from two defeats in their last three league games.
The reversals to Lens and Rennes were both away from home, and PSG will be glad to get back to home comfort this weekend. The French champions have not lost at the venue in the league for 31 matches now, and it will take some stopping in front of their fans.
A 7-0 thrashing of lowly Pays De Cassel will have improved the mood in the PSG locker room, and they will now go into the game with renewed optimism. Having also defeated the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Riyadh All Stars XI despite being down to ten men, the home side will not be short of confidence.
Reims have a poor record at Parc Des Princes but arrive on the back of an 11-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1. More so, PSG’s recent reversals will give them renewed hope of springing another shock. William Still’s side, despite their good run, have largely been unable to convert draws into wins.
Playing for a tie against PSG might not prove to be the best foot forward. A win will boost the visitors’ chances of breaking into the top ten, but unless they take the game to their opponents, Reims will be playing catch-up sooner rather than later. 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 for #PSGSDR! 📋🔴🔵
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) January 28, 2023
The French champions will be without the defensive duo of Presnel Kimpembe and Nordi Mukiele, both of whom are nursing injuries. Meanwhile, Nuno Mendes has also been left out of the squad. They will, however, welcome back star midfielder Marco Verratti.
The Italian’s return will offer PSG more balance in the midfield, something that was missing in his absence. The importance of Verratti to PSG’s style cannot be downplayed. Galtier has an otherwise full squad to choose from and is unlikely to rest his major players on the night.
The French boss is likely to persist with his 4-3-1-2 formation with Gianluigi Donnarumma in the goal. Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos will start in central defence, with Achraf Hakimi and Juan Bernat providing width down the flank.
Verratti will start at the tip of the midfield, with Fabian Ruiz and Vitinha flanking him. The Italian’s return will free up Ruiz to make forward forays, opening up space for Lionel Messi in the number 10 role to work his magic. The Argentine was rested against Pays De Cassel and will be raring to go on the night.
Neymar and Kylian Mbappe form the front two, leading the line on the night. The Reims defence has proven to be formidable this season, and PSG’s vaunted front three will be put to the test. A thumping win could more or less get their title defence back on track and compensate for the poor run of league form in January.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Ramos, Bernat; Vitinha, Verratti, Ruiz; Messi; Mbappe, Neymar
Reims
The visitors will be without Nathanael Mbuku and Noah Jean Holm. Thibault De Smet also picked up a knock against Les Herbiers and is a doubt for the game.
William Still took over as the manager in October and is yet to experience defeat in the top seat. The Belgian has made Reims not just difficult to beat but also a better-organised outfit. The trip to Parc Des Princes will be the true test of his mettle and could prove to be a decisive moment in his young yet promising career.
Reims are likely to go with their compact 4-2-3-1 formation that will look to keep things tight and deny PSG space. Yehvann Diouf should start in goal behind the back four of Thomas Foket, Emmanuel Agbadou, Yunis Abdelhamid and Maxime Busi.
🔜 J-1 avant le déplacement à Paris
Pour en savoir plus sur l'adversaire des Rémois, découvrez quelques statistiques Opta sur la formation de Christophe Galtier ⤵️
— Stade de Reims (@StadeDeReims) January 28, 2023
Marshall Munetsi and Azor Matusiwa will form the double pivot, with the trio of Junya Ito, Arber Zeneli, and Alexis Flips playing further upfield. An in-form Florian Balogun will lead the line and will be keen to once again be the difference maker for the club.
The Arsenal loanee has been in hot form this season and has scored ten goals in Ligue 1 this season. Only Kylian Mbappe and Neymar have outscored him in the French top flight this season.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Diouf; Foket, Agbadou, Abdelhamid, Busi; Munetsi, Matusiwa; Ito, Zeneli, Flips; Balogun
Key Stats
- PSG have won eight of their last nine home games in Ligue 1 against Reims. The last time they lost such a clash was in 2019.
- A loss on the night will see PSG lose consecutive league games for the first time since September 2020.
- Reims are on an 11-game unbeaten run in Ligue 1. This is the longest such run in the French division at this time and also the club’s best run of results since 2019.
- PSG have not tasted defeat in their last 31 home games in Ligue 1.
- Reims have drawn 10 of their opening 19 games in Ligue 1 this season, more than any other side in the league. Reims have conceded just 20 goals in Ligue 1 this season. Only the top three clubs have a better defensive record.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
A large reason for Reims’ good run of late has been their defence, and PSG will need to be at their best to prise it open. Few better players in world football can swing a tie on its head than Kylian Mbappe.
The Frenchman scored five in the French Cup last time around and will be the champions’ ace on Sunday night. Blessed with pace, power and skill, Mbappe is clinical in the box as we saw in the World Cup final last month. With Lionel Messi pulling the strings, the 24-year-old is likely to be the biggest threat to Reims picking up anything on the night.
Prediction
PSG 2-0 Reims
PSG in front of their home fans are a different animal and will take some stopping. Lionel Messi was rested earlier in the week, while Kylian Mbappe helped himself to five goals. Both players will be keen to replicate their best and would prove to be formidable opponents for Reims’ admittedly tight defence.
William Still has done a wonderful job since taking charge but is likely to experience his first competitive loss as Reims manager at Parc des Princes. PSG’s frontline is a difficult opponent to come up against for the best of teams and should turn the tie in the home side’s favour on the night.