90min

PSG predicted lineup vs Newcastle - Champions League

  • PSG take on Newcastle on Matchday 2 in tough Group F
  • French side opened group stage with impressive 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund
  • Luis Enrique has shifted to a 3-4-3 in recent weeks

By James Cormack

Paris Saint-Germain's players were in buoyant mood after beating Marseille but dropped points to Clermont Foot
Paris Saint-Germain's players were in buoyant mood after beating Marseille but dropped points to Clermont Foot / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages
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Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League campaign started with an efficient 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, but they'll now feel the wrath of a fervent St. James' Park on Matchday 2.

Luis Enrique's start to life in the French capital has been a mixed bag. While PSG have teased their apex at the beginning of the Spaniard's tenure, they're yet to put together a succession of convincing performances.

After thumping Marseille 4-0 in Le Classique two weekends ago, PSG were then held to a stalemate by the lowly Clermont Foot ahead of Wednesday's game. Nevertheless, the 'vibe' seems to be positive within Les Parisiens' camp in the absence of multiple superstars and there's a real chance this PSG outfit eventually achieve what their star-studded iterations of recent years failed to do.

Nevertheless, they've got a long way to go until they can think about winning this competition. Their focus, for now, is solely on Newcastle and here's how they could line up on Tyneside.

PSG predicted lineup vs Newcastle (3-4-3)

Kylian Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe's PSG were frustrated in Clermont at the weekend / Jean Catuffe/GettyImages

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma - PSG will likely be without both of Donnarumma's deputies on Wednesday night - not that his number one status is exactly under threat anyway.

CB: Milan Skriniar - Skriniar will undoubtedly welcome the switch to a back three given that he excelled under Antonio Conte during Inter's title-winning 2020/21 campaign.

CB: Marquinhos - The leader of this PSG side will marshal his troops from the centre of Enrique's back three. He'll have his hands full up against Alexander Isak.

CB: Lucas Hernandez - The wide-centre back role suits Hernandez down to the ground and he should come back into the team after getting a rest at the weekend.

RWB: Achraf Hakimi - A wing-back by trade, Hakimi's proficiency in attacking areas renders him a distinct threat to the Magpies on Wednesday. He scored a beauty in PSG's 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund on Matchday 1.

CM: Manuel Ugarte - While Ugarte does have some deficiencies in possession, he'll likely be deployed by Enrique on Wednesday for his aggression and defensive prowess against a physical Newcastle midfield.

CM: Vitinha - The Portuguese star is slowly emerging as one of Europe's best box-to-box midfielders. His slight frame is compensated by supreme guile in and out of possession.

LWB: Bradley Barcola - The promising youngster could be deployed out of position again after Nuno Mendes suffered a hamstring injury which will keep him out until the start of 2024.

RW: Ousmane Dembele - While the Frenchman hasn't enjoyed the most productive start in Paris, Dembele is enjoying life in a familiar environment. Perhaps this will be the game where his career with his new club truly ignites.

ST: Goncalo Ramos - Enrique could rotate his centre-forward option with Ramos replacing Randal Kolo Muani.

LW: Kylian Mbappe - Given the lack of pace on the right side of Newcastle's defence, Mbappe will back himself to enjoy a big outing at St. James' on Wednesday.

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