This Sunday, for Matchday 21 of Ligue 1 2025–2026, league leaders Paris Saint-Germain host third-placed Olympique de Marseille at the Parc des Princes (8:45 pm, broadcast on Ligue1+). Here are the predicted lineups according to the French press.
Which PSG side will play in the Classique? Le Parisien and L’Équipe are almost in agreement — at least on the defense. Both projected lineups are built around the same 4-3-3 shape and an identical defensive base, but they differ in attacking structure and the choice of the third midfielder.
Two Different Options for the Right Side and Midfield
Le Parisien’s version features Barcola – Dembélé – Lee up front, with Doué – Vitinha – Neves in midfield. The defense would be Mendes – Pacho – Marquinhos – Zaïre-Emery, with Safonov in goal. L’Équipe instead predicts Barcola – Dembélé – Doué in attack, Mayulu – Vitinha – Neves in midfield, and the same back line and goalkeeper.
The main differences therefore concern two positions. First, the right attacking wing: Lee is projected to start by Le Parisien, while L’Équipe expects Doué to play higher up the pitch.
Second, the box-to-box midfield role: in the first scenario Doué drops deeper, whereas in the second Mayulu joins the midfield trio. For the rest, there is full consensus: Safonov in goal, the standard defense with Mendes and Zaïre-Emery on the flanks, Marquinhos and Pacho in central defense, and the Vitinha–Neves pair controlling the core of the game. Two variations, one shared philosophy focused on mobility, pressing, and versatility in midfield and attack, with the final decision left to the Paris coach.
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