Date: Wednesday 10th April, 2024
Time: 8:00 pm
Stadium Parc des Princes
Referee Anthony Taylor (England}
Goal Scorer:
PSG
The bulk of PSG's senior stars are in good nick ahead of Wednesday's opening encounter, where Mbappe will be one of a handful of marquee names to return to the first XI; a list which also ought to include ex-Barca attacker Ousmane Dembele and fit-again captain Marquinhos.
Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery, Bradley Barcola and Nuno Mendes ought to reinforce the hosts' squad after being rested at the weekend too, but Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles), Layvin Kurzawa (back) and Sergio Rico (head trauma) are all out.
Furthermore, Achraf Hakimi's absence through suspension is particularly problematic after Nordi Mukiele came off with a head injury against Clermont, so Zaire-Emery might be required to step in to the backline on Wednesday.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Mendes; Lee, Ugarte, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Mbappe
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Barcelona
While Barcelona have a whopping seven players at risk of missing the second leg if they enter the referee's book, none of Xavi's troops is banned for the opening fixture, meaning that the former Champions League-winning midfielder only has a quintet of fitness concerns to work around.
Gavi (ACL) and Alejandro Balde (hamstring) are definitely out, but Pedri (thigh), Andreas Christensen (Achilles) and Frenkie de Jong (ankle) have been able to train with the team over the past few days, so all three are in with a chance of making their comebacks in the French capital.
De Jong is thought to have the best chance of receiving the green light from the medical team, while Xavi should have no qualms about starting talented teenage duo Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal either.
Ter Stegen; Kounde, Cubarsi, Araujo, Cancelo; De Jong, Gundogan, Lopez; Yamal, Lewandowski, Raphinha
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Barcelona
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