The clash between PSG and Olympique de Marseille as part of the Champions Trophy could hold some surprises.
This is the first major football event of 2021. It is certainly only the Champions Trophy but the poster between the PSG and theOlympic Marseille obviously gives a very special flavor between the champion of France – also winner of the Coupe de France – and his runner-up last season. And all the more so since the last confrontation, last September, had given rise to a historic victory for the Olympians (0-1) accompanied by controversies of all kinds.
The shock therefore promises to be explosive and could give rise to some surprises in the team compositions. The two coaches seem in any case to have muddied the waters as opinions diverge on the probable lines.
OM without a top striker?
This is particularly true at PSG where Mauricio Pochettino seems tempted to put Kylian Mbappé on the bench, in order to rest him, and to start Neymar, who returned to training only on Monday but eager to participate in this Clasico. Uncertainty also reigns in defense over the presence at the kick-off of two other players who are returning from injury: Presnel Kimpembe and Alessandro Florenzi and who could still be preserved for the benefit of Abdou Diallo and Timothée Pembélé. And it is the same in the midfield where alongside Marco Verratti, Idrissa Gueye, Ander Herrera, Danilo Pereira and Leandro Paredes are in balance.
There are fewer uncertainties on the Marseille side. In defense, Hiroki Sakai and Yuto Nagatomo should officiate in the corridors alongside the hinge Alvaro-Caleta Car while in midfield, Valentin Rongier, Boubacar Kamara and Idrissa Gueye are expected. But at the forefront, as in September, André Villas-Boas could be tempted to deprive himself of a leading striker and align Dimitri Payet in false nine, or even Michael Cuisance. And if he resolves to align a center forward, Dario Benedetto may have to give way to Valère Germain.
The probable lines:
According to La Provence:
PSG: Navas – Florenzi, Marquinhos, Diallo, Kurzawa – Herrera, Verratti, Gueye – Di Maria, Icardi, Mbappé
OM: Mandanda – Sakai, Alvaro, Caleta Car, Nagatomo – Rongier, Kamara, Gueye – Thauvin, Benedetto (or Payet), Payet (or Radonjic)
According to Le Parisien:
PSG: Navas – Pembélé, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Bakker – Paredes, Danilo – Di Maria, Verratti, Neymar – Icardi (or Mbappé)
OM: Mandanda – Sakai, Alvaro, Caleta Car, Nagatomo – Rongier, Kamara, Gueye – Thauvin, Benedetto (or Payet), Payet (or Radonjic)
According to RMC Sport
PSG: Navas – Pembélé, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Bakker – Paredes, Danilo – Di Maria, Verratti, Neymar – Icardi (or Mbappé)
OM: Mandanda – Sakai, Alvaro, Caleta Car, Nagatomo – Rongier, Kamara, Gueye – Thauvin, Payet (or Cuisance), Radonjic (or Payet)
