Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Girona,Champions League League Stage
Soccer News 2024/09/18 07:47
Paris Saint-Germain are the only Ligue 1 side with a 100% record after four games, following wins over Le Harve, Montpellier and Lille with a 3-1 comeback win at home to Brest last Saturday.
Luis Enrique's men fell behind on the half-hour mark when Romain Del Castillo converted from the penalty spot, but Les Parisiens fought back valiantly, with Fabian Ruiz netting between two Ousmane Dembele goals to ensure maximum points.
PSG, who already boast an impressive +13 goal difference in the French top flight and are understandably in high spirits after their positive start to the season, are now preparing for a busy schedule of six games in 19 days in all competitions, including their first two Champions League games against Girona and Arsenal.
The Champions League has been the holy grail for PSG's Qatari owners since they took over in 2011, but Europe's most prestigious trophy in club football has remained painfully elusive, with the 2019-20 final defeat to Bayern Munich the closest they have come to glory.
PSG will be eager to make a strong start to the newly expanded Champions League and will be confident of success against Girona, having lost just one of their last 36 home games in the competition since the start of the 2012-13 season - a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in October 2020.
After their historic 2023-24 La Liga campaign, Girona have made a mixed start to the new season, picking up seven points after winning two, drawing one and losing two of their opening five games.
The Blanquivermells recovered from a slow start to beat both Osasuna and Sevilla by a combined score of 6-0, but they failed to pick up where they left off after the international break as they were thrashed 4-1 by leaders and Catalan rivals Barcelona on Sunday.
Goals from Lamine Yamal (2), Dani Olmo and Pedri gave Barca the upper hand at the Estadi Montilivi before veteran striker Christian Stuani grabbed a consolation 10 minutes from time.
Having suffered their heaviest home defeat since his arrival in 2021, Michel will be keen to ensure that his players do not dwell on the result and can use it as motivation ahead of Girona's first-ever Champions League match on Wednesday.
Girona may be considered one of the underdogs in this season's expanded Champions League, but they can draw inspiration from the fact that the last three Spanish debutants in the competition to reach the knockout stages were Villarreal in 2005-06, Sevilla in 2007-08 and Malaga in 2012-13.
Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:
Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Lee, Ruiz, Neves; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Barcola
Girona possible starting lineup:
Gazzaniga; Frances, Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Martin, Romeu, Solis; Tsygankov, Ruiz, Danjuma
Prediction:Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Girona
Paris Saint-Germain VS Girona stream and TV listing
International:Holasports
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Paris Saint Germain (PSG)
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Girona
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UEFA Champions League
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