PSG will be keen to rediscover their winning formula when they welcome LOSC Lille to Parc des Princes on Sunday.
PSG boss Christophe Galtier will face his former club LOSC Lille knowing full well that his job could be on the line if the defending champions succumb to a fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.
Galtier’s side were the team to beat in Europe heading into the World Cup break in November. They have shown significant chinks in the armour since and have shed the layer of invulnerability. Unless results pick up soon, Galtier could become just another brick in the wall of Paris Saint Germain’s managerial sackings.
Ironically, he will now face his former side, the very same Lille who were the last French team to defeat PSG at home in the league. Given that Galtier was in charge of Les Dogues that day, there are several narratives surrounding both sides heading into the tie.
Several of Lille’s title-winning side from that season have moved, but the visitors still have enough in their ranks to hurt the champions. Despite their recent form, PSG still holds a five-point lead over Marseille at the top of the league table. They will be keen to keep the chasing teams at an arm’s length and rediscover the winning touch.
The midweek defeat to Bayern Munich once again showcased PSG’s vulnerabilities at the back. While Lille might not be at the same level, they have little to lose by going all out and taking the game to their former boss’s side. A win will also see the visitors stay within touching distance of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
It promises to be an exciting game that PSG cannot afford to lose. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might deploy.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
โฝ๏ธ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐ Lille
๐๏ธ 19/02 – 13h#PSGLOSC I @visitrwanda_now pic.twitter.com/LgZ0GOF4Qh— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) February 18, 2023
Kylian Mbappe made an exciting appearance off the bench at the midweek fixture vs Bayern Munich and will give Christophe Galtier more options in attack. With Lionel Messi and Neymar also fit, the PSG boss can call upon his stellar frontline to get the club’s season back on track.
PSG also welcomed back Presnel Kimpembe after a lengthy absence. Achraf Hakimi has picked up a hamstring injury and will miss the tie. Marquinhos also picked up a knock and is a doubt to feature on Sunday. Nordi Mukiele and Renato Sanches will also sit the game out and are some way off from returning to action.
Gianluigi Donnarumma should start in goal behind the back four of Timothee Pembele, Kimpembe, Sergio Ramos and Nuno Mendes. Warren Zaire-Emery has been sensational of late and should partner Marco Verratti and Vitinha in the midfield.
Lionel Messi has been well off his best in the last two games and should return to the number 10 role on the night. Neymar too has been off colour, and PSG will hope that Kylian Mbappe’s return will rekindle his flame in the games to come. As long as PSG’s front three fire, there is always a chance they can make up for the deficiencies elsewhere.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Donnarumma; Pembele, Ramos, Kimpembe, Mendes; Vitinha, Zaire-Emery, Verratti; Messi; Neymar, Mbappe
LOSC Lille
Paulo Fonseca will hope his side can secure a win, giving them a major boost in the bid to finish in the top three. Les Dogues were the most recent side to beat PSG to the Ligue 1 title and will hope to once again dent the defending champions’ hopes this season.
The visitors will be without Ismaily, who is set for a few more weeks on the sidelines. He joined Adam Ounas on the injury list, with Lenny Yoro also suffering from a sickness. A late call is likely to be made on Yono’s participation in the match.
Lille are likely to go into the game with a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Lucas Chevalier in goal. He will be protected by the back four of Bafode Diakite, Jose Fonte, Tiago Djalo and Gabriel Gudmundsson.
๐ P. Fonseca: "The game without the ball will be very important. I believe that we will have opportunities to score, but we must be very compact, very united."#PSGLOSC
— LOSC (@LOSC_EN) February 17, 2023
Angel Gomes and Andre will form the double pivot, with Edon Zhegrova, Remy Cabella and Jonathan Bamba trying to fashion goalscoring opportunities up front. Jonathan David remains Lille’s most potent attacker and should lead the line on the night.
The reverse fixture saw Lille fall to a humiliating 7-1 loss at home. They will be keen to not let history repeat itself and secure one or more points in the game. PSG are there for the taking and Lille can gain a massive psychological edge by scoring first on the night.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Chevalier; Diakite, Fonte, Djalo, Gudmundsson; Angel Gomes, Andre; Zhegrova, Cabella, Bamba; David
Key Stats
- PSG have won eight of their last nine home games against LOSC Lille in Ligue 1.
- PSG’s current three-game losing streak is the first time the club have achieved the unwanted run of results since 2011.
- PSG have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six games across all competitions.
- LOSC Lille have avoided defeat in nine of their last ten Ligue 1 matches.
- Lille are the last team to defeat PSG at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1. It occurred all the way back in 2021 when Christophe Galtier was in charge of the visitors.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe
The French superstar was Lille’s destroyer-in-chief in the reverse fixture, scoring a sensational hat-trick in the 7-1 win. His dynamism and directness add some much-needed x-factor to the PSG attack. And the home side will be keen to have him back.
Mbappe turned the game in PSG’s favour midweek against Bayern Munich and kept the Bavarian giants’ defence on their toes. His return could not have been better timed as Galtier and co. search for a hero. As long as Mbappe is in the mood, he is likely to be the difference maker.ย
Prediction
PSG 2-1 LOSC Lille
PSG might be in a poor run of form, but Kylian Mbappe’s return should give them the edge, especially in the final third. The game should not be easy and is likely to be hard-fought. In the end, PSG’s match-winners gives them the edge in what should be a narrow win for the home side.
