Ligue 1 powerhouses PSG and RC Lens go head to head in an early season clash, as both sides remain searching for their first wins.
Paris Saint-Germain have had an excellent summer window, including acquiring a new manager. They have since manoeuvred a big Kylian Mbappe-named storm and managed to re-integrate the superstar after fresh promises and even signed some top-notch players. And PSG will take on RC Lens this weekend.
Luis Enrique would have wanted to see better results on board as PSG struggle to find ways to beat teams. Their opening games ended in a draw, with the last one with Toulouse a bit more energetic than in their goalless draw with Lorient.
FULL-TIME: Toulouse 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain.
The points are shared tonight as both sides score a penalty in the second half. #Ligue1 I #TFCPSG pic.twitter.com/fP31XyNzjJ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 19, 2023
After dominating proceedings for most parts against Toulouse, it took a familiar face in Kylian Mbappe to come off the bench and score a penalty to open the scoring. Yet, PSG were undone by a late Toulouse penalty scored by Zakaria Aboukhlal, which balanced the result.
They now face a formidable challenge in RC Lens, although PSG have home comfort to dwell upon. Enrique would like to see his side convert their on-field dominance into goals, although last season’s runners-up will pose a considerable challenge to their quest.
RC Lens had a momentous Ligue 1 campaign last time out, as they kept pushing PSG for a shot at the title. Franck Haise’s side eventually finished just a point shy of the champions, but they did post better numbers in many areas compared to the Parisians.
Having lost a few key players during this window, they have also acquired a few, with the arrival of Elye Wahi, a notable upgrade to their forward line. With that, Lens will have hopes to challenge for the title again. But their start to the campaign suggests otherwise.
After taking a commanding 2-0 lead against Brest on the opening weekend, the visitors responded emphatically to finish the game 2-3. Haise’s men again lost their lead against Rennes in the second game, which ended in a draw. Taking their first win against a side like PSG would signal a show of intent, but a defeat could start a course of problems for Lens in the current campaign.
Team News & Tactics
PSG
Luis Enrique will have to tinker through his lineup, although he will want his attacking unit to finish chances off. The game against Lens could finally see the PSG manager changing his attacking setup and bringing Mbappe from the start, although there will be a temptation to do the same with Ousmane Dembele.
Preparing for #PSGRCL 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/jZqnT2OG3Q
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 23, 2023
Goncalo Ramos has not done anything wrong so far. So Enrique might keep him on board, although he could look to switch Marco Asensio to the right-hand side. Alternatively, Enrique can start the game with Dembele and Mbappe alongside Ramos, leaving the Spaniard on the bench.
Enrique might continue to deploy the same midfield three in his setup with Manuel Ugarte sitting at the base. Fabian Ruiz and Warren Zaire-Emery will likely partner with the Uruguayan there, although the manager will have other options to consider.
At the back, Marquinhos and Milan Skriniar should continue to develop their partnership, which seems like the preferred central pairing under Enrique. With Nuno Mendes still absent, Lucas Hernandez will continue at left-back, although the Frenchman seems like this manager’s first choice.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Ruiz; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
RC Lens
Franck Haise has a few injury-led absentees, with Jimmy Cabot, Wuilker Farinez, and Wesley Said absent due to fitness problems. Neil El Aynaoui remains suspended for this game, too, so the manager must tinker through his starting eleven.
Projection intensive vers #PSGRCL 😤#FierDEtreLensois pic.twitter.com/9vCCwoZB30
— Racing Club de Lens (@RCLens) August 23, 2023
Whether he integrates new signing Elye Wahi remains to be seen, but the young striker could come on from the bench at some stage. For now, the assumption is that Haise will continue with his tried and tested style of a back three and possibly name the same lineup as he did against Rennes.
Kevin Danso will lead the backline, with Jonathan Gradit and Fecundo Medina on either side of the back three. Przemyslaw Frankowski and Deiver Machado will feature as wing-backs, with midfield duo Salis Abdul Samed and Andy Diouf sandwiched between them.
Haise will continue to deploy Adrien Thomasson and Angelo Fulgini behind the central striker in the attack. The manager may yet have a choice to choose Wahi, but a game of this magnitude will want him to start with his tested forward Florian Sotoca.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Samba; Gradit, Danso, Medina; Frankowski , Samed, Diouf, Machado; Thomasson, Fulgini; Sotoca
Key Stats
- PSG have one win in their last six games across all competitions.
- PSG had 77% possession and 16 shots but only three on target against Toulouse.
- PSG managed a 3-0 win over RC Lens in their last encounter.
- RC Lens have one victory in their last six games across all competitions.
- RC Lens finished as Ligue 1 runners-up despite conceding 7 fewer goals and three fewer defeats than champions PSG.
Player to Watch
Kylian Mbappe.
Could the clash against Lens be where Mbappe makes his first start of the season in PSG colours? All things point towards that outcome, as the French superstar opened his account against Toulouse from the spot kick. There are glaring problems in this PSG frontline, not least creating chances. But they need a clinical finisher like Mbappe.
The game against Lens could see Luis Enrique name the dream attacking lineup featuring Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele, although all focus will be on the PSG striker, who will itch to get on the teamsheet. A solid performance against last season’s runners up will prove vital for the team and Mbappe.
Prediction
PSG 2-1 RC Lens
This is not a game where PSG are expected to brush their opponents aside. Lens have shown last season, they deserved runners-up for the Ligue 1 crown, and they will want to start pushing again for the title this time.
On paper, PSG have a stronger setup than Lens, who have lost a great player in Seko Fofana this summer. However, if Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele come into the picture, the result will favour the home side, although Lens could give them a fight and possibly fight for a draw if the conditions are right.
