Despite the last full round of fixtures having taken place over the weekend, there’s still one more Ligue 1 McDonald’s match to be played in 2024 as AS Monaco host Paris Saint-Germain in a match brought forward to accommodate the Champions Trophy. The undefeated leaders will have to be wary, though — they have just one win in their last five visits to the Principality. Read on for our full preview…
A diminished Monaco
Despite their good form of late against the capital side Adi Hütter‘s team will have to make do with limited options in this top-of-the-table clash. Off the back of a frustrating scoreless draw against Reims at the weekend, captain Denis Zakaria is the biggest miss, as the versatile veteran has been impressive in central midfield when fit, but will miss out here with a hamstring issue. He’ll be joined on the sidelines by goalkeeper Radoslaw Majeckidefenders Christian Mawissa and Jordan Thesesas well as striker Folarin Balogun — the American continues to struggle with a shoulder problem.
Hütter was frank about the level that would be needed from his team to continue their good form, saying, “Paris are obviously favorites for this match, although we are obviously able to beat them. But it will take a perfect match, whether defensively or offensively, and a top performance from my team.” Hütter’s assessment is likely true, but in the likes of Minamino, Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghirthe Principality side have a dangerous set of attackers, and will be eager to make life difficult for the visitors.
PSG at (almost) full strength
Despite being undefeated, this season has hardly been smooth sailing for Luis Enrique‘s side, with the team looking limited at key junctures. While the departure of Kylian Mbappé will surely have had an effect on the capital side’s efficacy, injuries have also played their part, as Gonçalo Ramosexpected to be the team’s primary striker is only now just returning to full fitness. The Portugal international has done so in style, though — he has goals in each of his last two appearances — in wins against Lyon on Sunday and in the Champions League last mid-week, and will be the danger man once again for his side.
The team have also welcomed back a key defender, as veteran France international Lucas Hernandez came off the bench at the weekend. There’s even a chance he could start here, although it may be more likely he makes his full return at the weekend in the Coupe de France. Speaking pre-match, Enrique underscored that despite being comfortably ahead of their injury-hit opponents, this is not a match to be taken lightly, saying, “People always think that we should win the league without difficulty. But Ligue 1 is a very high level of play – you only have to look at how the teams are playing in Europe. I know a lot of coaches come to France and say to themselves that the level is very high.”
Predicted lineups:
AS Monaco (4-2-3-1): Kohn; Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Henrique; Camara, Magassa (or Golovin); Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir, Embolo (or Ilenikhena)
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes (or Hernández); Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Dembélé, Ramos, Barcola
Read more:
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