Two days before their Champions League showdown with Manchester City on Wednesday, October 14, at 9 PM at the Etihad Stadium, the first clues about PSG’s starting lineup are emerging. After making extensive changes against Le Mans (3-1), Luis Enrique is expected to bring back several key players. However, a major selection headache awaits in attack, with Ousmane Dembélé, Ferran Torres, Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all competing for starting spots.
This is the big one. PSG are preparing for a crucial Champions League trip to Manchester City after opening their European campaign with an emphatic 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava. Luis Enrique is expected to abandon the heavy rotation used against Le Mans and restore his strongest available lineup. Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes returned to training over the weekend after receiving additional rest following the international break. Mendes should replace Lucas Digne at left-back, while Achraf Hakimi is expected to start on the right. Marquinhos and Willian Pacho could reunite in central defense. In midfield, João Neves, Vitinha and Fabián Ruiz are favorites to start, offering greater control against City’s pressing. Senny Mayulu remains sidelined with a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni is doubtful.
Dembélé or Ferran Torres? Luis Enrique’s Major Attacking Dilemma
The biggest uncertainty concerns PSG’s attacking trio. Ousmane Dembélé, rested against Le Mans, could return to the starting lineup as a central forward. However, Ferran Torres has a strong case after scoring a hat-trick against Slovan Bratislava in the opening Champions League fixture. On the wings, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué appear well positioned to start. The Georgian scored shortly after coming off the bench against Le Mans, while Mika Godts struggled to impress during his first start. Luis Enrique must therefore decide which of Dembélé, Torres, Doué and Kvaratskhelia will begin on the bench. Moving Dembélé out wide could allow the Spanish coach to accommodate more of his attacking stars, while Maghnes Akliouche remains another option in an increasingly competitive department.
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With two days remaining before the European clash, an early predicted PSG lineup is beginning to take shape, although several positions remain uncertain.
PSG predicted lineup (4-3-3): Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz – Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia. This remains only a projection, with Ferran Torres pushing for a starting place and Illia Zabarnyi offering an alternative in central defense. Luis Enrique is expected to provide further updates during his press conference on Tuesday at 5:45 PM French time. The first 15 minutes of PSG’s training session in Manchester will then be open to the media from 7 PM.
Manchester City vs PSG will kick off on Wednesday, October 14, at 9 PM French time, with live coverage on Canal+. The official starting lineup is expected to be announced approximately one hour before kickoff. With several attacking stars competing for just three positions, Luis Enrique faces one of his toughest selection decisions of the season ahead of a major Champions League test.
