Paris Saint-Germain are finally back in action after a three-week international break. Sitting sixth in the Ligue 1 standings, PSG host ninth-placed Le Mans knowing they need points to close the gap on the leading teams. However, Luis Enrique must also manage his players’ fitness. With Manchester City coming up in the Champions League, followed by Strasbourg, Barcelona and Lyon, the Spanish coach is expected to rotate his squad.
Beraldo in Midfield, Godts Starting: Luis Enrique’s Big Decisions
According to Le Parisien, several changes are expected in PSG’s starting eleven. Matvey Safonov should retain his place in goal, leaving Lucas Chevalier on the bench. In defense, Achraf Hakimi could start at right-back, while Lucas Digne is expected to replace Nuno Mendes, who has been given additional rest. Illia Zabarnyi could partner Lucas Hernandez in central defense, allowing captain Marquinhos to recover ahead of the Champions League clash. The biggest surprise could come in midfield, where Lucas Beraldo may start as a defensive midfielder alongside João Neves and Fabián Ruiz. Vitinha would therefore be rested ahead of the trip to Manchester. In attack, Belgian winger Mika Godts could finally make his first PSG start, joining Maghnes Akliouche and Désiré Doué in a particularly young attacking trio. PSG’s predicted lineup (4-3-3): Safonov – Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Hernandez, Digne – João Neves, Beraldo, Fabián Ruiz – Doué, Akliouche, Godts. This lineup remains a prediction from Le Parisien and has not been officially confirmed by the club.
Luis Enrique must also deal with several absences and fitness concerns. Ousmane Dembélé and Nuno Mendes have been given additional rest following their international commitments and are not expected to feature against Le Mans. Senny Mayulu is also unavailable due to a muscle injury, while Ferran Torres remains doubtful after suffering a left ankle problem during Spain’s international camp. Warren Zaïre-Emery, who has experienced physical discomfort in recent weeks, is another uncertainty. These fitness concerns could create opportunities for several players who have received limited playing time since the beginning of the season. For youngsters such as Godts, the match could represent an important opportunity to impress Luis Enrique and establish themselves in the first-team rotation.
The meeting with Le Mans marks the beginning of an extremely demanding period for Paris Saint-Germain. Four days after this Ligue 1 fixture, the Parisians will travel to Manchester City for a major Champions League encounter before facing Strasbourg, Barcelona and Lyon. Luis Enrique must therefore strike the right balance between maintaining a competitive team and protecting his key players from fatigue. Against newly promoted Le Mans, PSG could field an unfamiliar starting eleven featuring several young talents expected to make the difference. Despite the possible changes, the objective remains clear: secure three points and move closer to the top of the Ligue 1 table. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:45 PM at the Parc des Princes, with live coverage on Ligue 1+. The official starting lineup will be announced approximately one hour before the match.
