Lyon-PSG: which team will be able to field Pochettino?

PSG is present this Sunday in Lyon with no less than eleven absent. Between the Covids (Donnarumma, Di Maria, Draxler, Danilo Pereira, Kurzawa), the CAN players (Hakimi, Gueye, Diallo), the injured (Neymar, Letellier) and Messi who continues his individual recovery following his negative test for the coronavirus , Mauricio Pochettino does not have multiple choices.

The Argentine coach will especially have concerns to compose his attacking midfielder, while his defensive sector still has valid elements. If Navas is certain to keep the Parisian goal, it is to the right of the defense that a question arises. With the absence of Hakimi, the Parisian staff have the choice between Colin Dagba and Thilo Kehrer. The German, who offers more guarantees, seems to be holding the rope. But if the decision has already been taken, Pochettino refused to reveal it this Saturday at a press conference. In central defense, the pair Marquinhos Kimpembe is likely to be renewed while Sergio Ramos still seems a bit tight for a match where the intensity should not weaken. Finally on the left, Mendes might continue when Bernat, tested positive before the Coupe de France meeting, finally joined the group in midweek following being able to justify a negative test on Tuesday.

The midfielder should be composed of Verratti in front of the defense, supported by Herrera and Paredes. In this configuration, PSG would evolve in 4-3-3 and its attack will revolve around Mbappé and Icardi. It remains to define the identity of the third offensive player. Attractive in the right lane once morest Vannes and efficient (1 assist for Mbappé), 18-year-old Xavi Simons is in balance with Georginio Wijnaldum. The former Liverpool has for him the experience of this type of meeting, and he has the possibility of evolving in support of the attacking duo Icardi, Mbappé. On the other hand, his performance tinged with mediocrity once morest the Vannetais does not tell a player sure of his strength at present. This is why young Simons has reason to believe in it.

The probable composition of PSG once morest Lyon: Navas – Kehrer, Marquinhos (cap), Kimpembe, Mendes – Herrera, Verratti, Paredes – Wijnaldum (or Simons), Icardi, Mbappé. Entry : Pochettino.