Coach Luis Enrique kept his cards close to his chest during PSG‘s final training session before the Champions League semi-final first leg against Dortmund. However, there are strong hints about the starting lineup.
Attacking Trio Set to Shine:
Expect a familiar attacking force for PSG, with Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé leading the charge alongside Bradley Barcola. This trio has the potential to exploit weaknesses in Dortmund’s defense.
Midfield and Defense:
The midfield is likely to feature Vitinha as the anchor, supported by the creative duo of Fabian Ruiz and the exciting young talent Warren Zaire-Emery. The backline could see Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos (captain), Lucas Hernandez, and Nuno Mendes. However, there’s a slight question mark over Mendes’ fitness.
Mendes a Doubt, Beraldo a Possible Replacement:
Nuno Mendes left the training session early, raising concerns about his availability for the crucial match. If he’s unable to play, Lucas Beraldo is the likely replacement at left-back.
Dortmund’s Lineup:
For Dortmund, Gregor Kobel is expected to be in goal, with a defensive line potentially including Julian Ryerson, Mats Hummels (or Niklas Süle), Nico Schlotterbeck, and Ian Maatsen. The midfield might see Emre Can as captain alongside Marcel Sabitzer. In attack, Jadon Sancho, Julian Brandt, and Karim Adeyemi could support lone striker Niclas Füllkrug.
This is the most likely starting lineup for PSG, but with Luis Enrique known for his unpredictability, there could always be a surprise on the night.
