PSG host FC Barcelona for Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night at Paris’ Parc des Princes. The back-to-back European champions face the only team in Europe’s top 5 leagues with a 100% record in all competitions. FC Barcelona are flying high in La Liga, but they’re poised to face a sterner test against Luis Enrique’s Parisiens. The Spaniard will be wary to nullify Lamine Yamal’s influence, but PSG won’t rely on Nuno Mendes, who is arguably the current best left-back in the world.
The Portuguese international sustained a left high injury on Saturday against Strasbourg that is expected to keep him on the sidelines for several weeks. PSG have several left-backs at their disposal in France internationals Lucas Digne and Lucas Hernandez. But none of them are set to get the nod.
Indeed, L’Equipe predicts that Warren Zaïre-Emery, who filled in at right-back last season when Achraf Hakimi was injured, will start on the left side of PSG’s defense. Barring the absence of Nuno Mendes, Luis Enrique has a full squad at his disposal. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé will be tasked to lead the line alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué.
PSG likely line-up v Barcelona
Matvey Safonov; Warren Zaïre-Emery, Willian Pacho, Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi; João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz; Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué. (L’Éq)