With less than an hour until kickoff, Thomas Tuchel named his starting lineup for tonight’s UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray S.K.
🔛👊Tonight's starting 1⃣1⃣ for @PSG_English 🆚 @GalatasaraySK#GSPSG
🔴🔵 #AllezParis pic.twitter.com/qojCeUEDzi
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 1, 2019
At first glance, the lineup, which appears to be a 4-3-3, is about what I had predicted earlier today with one exception. Abdou Diallo, who has been in decent form and started against Girondins de Bordeaux last Saturday, is on the bench while Presnel Kimpembe is given the start for the second consecutive Champions League match this season.
The midfield is exactly what I predicted and is the best midfield trio Tuchel could go with. They have performed incredibly this season and going into the match, supporters should have no issue there. I expect to see Idrissa Gueye continue his brilliant start to his PSG career and Marquinhos to show why he is perhaps the most versatile footballer in the world. Marco Verratti, a player who likes to put in a challenge from time to time, will need to make sure he doesn’t pick up any yellow cards to avoid suspension later in the tournament.
The attack is where it gets a bit more interesting. Kylian Mbappé will have to come off the bench once again and PSG will rely on Mauro Icardi to lead the attack against Galatasaray with Angel Di Maria and Pablo Sarabia. Mbappé, who still isn’t 100 percent fit according to Tuchel, will likely feature in the second half if necessary as he can’t go a full 90 minutes. This is a great opportunity for Icardi to make his mark. The loanee has only been at PSG for a couple of months, so a notable performance in the Champions League with so many of PSG’s regular attackers out would go a long way in deciding his future with the club.
Tuchel confirmed Edinson Cavani is "not yet moving freely," while a decision will be taken between Kylian Mbappe, Mauro Icardi & Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting after training. The Frenchman "not ready to go 90 minutes" yet. #UCL
— Jonathan Johnson (@Jon_LeGossip) September 30, 2019
Paris Saint-Germain will be wearing their new third kit tonight against the Turkish club, which could be good luck considering they beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Parc des Princes wearing the throwback shirt. In their famous shirt, PSG will be looking to continue their impressive streak of scoring in their last 25 Champions League matches, which dates all the way back to 2016. This is also the 400th time PSG will wear the iconic jersey in the club’s history.
🆗👕 So here we go! The locker room is looking sharp ahead of tonight's game! #GSPSG pic.twitter.com/cFlCe7IJEN
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) October 1, 2019
With Real Madrid currently struggling with Club Brugge at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, a win over Galatasaray would go a long way in ensuring that PSG top Group A and set themselves up for hopefully a long run in the Champions League.
We’ll be live-tweeting the match so find us there @PSGTalk and let us know what you think of Tuchel’s lineup decision, your prediction for the match, and anything else Paris Saint-Germain related. Allez Paris!
Want more PSG? Visit the PSG Talk Podcast Network page and subscribe to PSG Talking, The 1970, and 24th & Parc.
