Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League title protection begins tonight as they entertain Atalanta on the Parc des Princes. It’s one of many standout fixtures of the opening spherical, with either side in search of a successful begin.
Paris Saint-Germain trounced Inter 5-0 in final season’s last. In doing so, they conquered their last peak, lifting the one trophy they’d been lacking. Lastly, years of heavy investments paid off as Luis Enrique guided his workforce to the highest of Europe.
Reluctant to relaxation on their laurels, PSG received the UEFA Tremendous Cup in August, beating Tottenham Hotspur on penalties. They’ve began the brand new Ligue 1 season in the same vein, successful all 4 matches to get their title protection off to a flying begin.
In distinction to Les Parisiens’ formidable type, Atalanta stuttered initially of Ivan Juric’s tenure. After severing ties with Europa League-winning boss Gian Piero Gasperini, they’ve signed the Croatian coach to fill the void.
Regardless of contrasting soccer philosophies between Gasperini and Juric, Atalanta may very well be a difficult opposition for any workforce in Europe this time period. Again-to-back attracts at first of the brand new Serie A season didn’t make for promising studying.
Nonetheless, Juric received off the mark final weekend as Atalanta humbled Lecce 4-1 on the Gewiss Stadium. It was an ideal warm-up for his or her second Champions League conflict towards the perennial French champions.
Match Preview
Paris Saint-Germain
As one of the closely fancied sides to hoist the trophy this season, PSG head into proceedings as odds-on favorites. But, this might not be a stroll within the park for Les Parisiens, similar to they met Atalanta within the Covid-plagued 2020 season. Certainly, they needed to go to nice lengths to beat La Dea 2-1 in a one-off quarter-final tie.
Enrique will count on a extra convincing triumph this time, particularly after overseeing a snug 2-0 house win over Lens on the weekend. Victory would set the tone for an additional knockout qualification, a feat they’ve achieved of their final 13 group/league stage appearances within the Champions League.
Synonymous with formidable European begins, PSG have racked up eight wins and three attracts throughout their final 13 curtain-raising Champions League fixtures (L2). They received the higher of Girona initially of the 2024/25 season, a consequence which kinds a part of Enrique’s exceptional 65% win ratio at Europe’s prime desk as a supervisor (W40, D6, L16).
Atalanta
Considered one of Atalanta’s prime assignments in Paris might be to deal with PSG’s deadly frontline. Certainly, Les Parisiens have netted 3+ targets in 4 of their final six Champions League outings on the Parc des Princes. Due to this fact, Juric should discover a strategy to cease the likes of Bradley Barcola and Goncalo Ramos, with Atalanta vying for an additional constructive consequence on French soil.
Apart from the abovementioned loss to PSG 5 years in the past, they’ve prevented defeat in all 4 remaining matches towards Ligue 1 golf equipment (W2, D2). On one other spectacular word, Atalanta have gone unbeaten throughout 13 of their final 14 group/league part video games within the Champions League (W8, D5).
Juric’s aspect might not be intimidated by their opposition’s stature, though they go away the house comforts of their Gewiss Stadium. For perspective, the Italian giants haven’t misplaced any of their final eight away matches in Europe’s most prestigious competitors (W5, D3). It’s additionally price noting that they’ve received on the scoresheet in 15 consecutive away European video games.
Group Information
PSG can not name upon a number of heroes from final season’s last. Ousmane Dembele and Want Doue picked up accidents through the worldwide break. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joined them on the sidelines over the weekend. The identical goes for Lee Kang-in and Lucas Beraldo.
As for Atalanta, Mitchell Bakker, Sead Kolasinac, Ederson, and Gianluca Scamacca usually are not in rivalry. In the meantime, Ademola Lookman stays frozen out of the squad after making an attempt to drive his switch to Inter in the summertime.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta Potential Beginning Line-ups
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Maldini; Krstovic.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atalanta Prediction
Atalanta’s probabilities of leaving Paris undefeated would’ve been minimal if PSG had a totally match squad. Nonetheless, a number of high-profile absences within the house workforce give La Dea a combating likelihood, although we count on Enrique’s aspect to scoop up three factors.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain to Win
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