PSG travel to Lille on Friday night at 8:45 p.m. for Matchday 2 of Ligue 1 with several important decisions already facing Luis Enrique. After the 2-2 draw away to Rennes, the Paris coach is expected to make changes to his starting XI, particularly in attack where Ousmane Dembélé will be unavailable.
PSG will be without their Ballon d’Or winner in Lille. Dembélé has been given a rest until Monday and will therefore miss the trip to northern France. He will not be the only absentee, as Nuno Mendes will serve the second game of his three-match suspension. Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, who were left out against Rennes amid transfer speculation, also remain uncertain.
Ferran Torres set to lead the PSG attack
The main question concerns Dembélé’s replacement. Introduced at half-time in Rennes, Ferran Torres completely changed the game for PSG by scoring both of their goals. The Spaniard is therefore the clear favourite to start through the middle in Lille. Luis Enrique could keep Désiré Doué on the right and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left, while Mika Godts and Maghnes Akliouche are the other attacking options.
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In midfield, Vitinha and João Neves are expected to retain their places. Warren Zaïre-Emery could also start again, although Fabian Ruiz is pushing strongly for a return to the XI after providing two assists off the bench against Rennes. In defence, Lucas Hernandez may once again replace Nuno Mendes at left-back after being preferred to Lucas Digne last weekend. Achraf Hakimi should start on the right, with Marquinhos and Willian Pacho in central defence, while Matvey Safonov is expected to remain in goal.
Lille come into the game with confidence after their 2-0 victory at Angers. Benjamin André returns from suspension, while Tanguy Nianzou and Hamza Igamane will be unavailable. PSG’s predicted lineup: Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Lucas Hernandez – Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, João Neves – Doué, Ferran Torres, Kvaratskhelia.
