Champions League | League Stage

Nov 6, 2024 at 8pm UK

Parc des Princes

PSG vs Atletico

Match preview

Although Paris Saint-Germain began their latest quest for a first Champions League trophy with a fortunate 1-0 home win over newcomers Girona, they have since taken just one point from two games.

After losing 2-0 at Arsenal in London, the French champions came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to PSV Eindhoven last time out, with Achraf Hakimi's 55th-minute equaliser meaning that no fewer than 12 of their last 14 Champions League goals have come in the second half.

Luis Enrique will therefore be looking for Paris to step up their game before the break, given their mediocre record in Europe's top club competition since moving to France.

The ex-Barcelona boss has won just six of 15 continental competitions during his time at the Parc des Princes, with his 40 per cent win rate the lowest of any PSG coach with at least 10 Champions League games under his belt.

Three points adrift of the top eight - and an automatic place in the last 16 - Paris cannot afford to slip up again on Wednesday.

As ever, their domestic form has not wavered this term and the leaders remain the only Ligue 1 side still unbeaten after Saturday's 1-0 win over Lens, secured by an early goal from Ousmane Dembele.

PSG had previously won 3-0 at 10-man Marseille in Le Classique and have won eight of their opening 10 league games, having lost just one top-flight match in 20/24, making them particularly difficult to beat at home.

Atletico Madrid will be the tenth different Spanish side Paris Saint-Germain have faced in Europe, with Atleti unbeaten in four Champions League meetings with the French club until last month's stumble.

Diego Simeone's men were beaten 3-1 at home by Lille, their second successive defeat in this year's competition, failing to convert their chances and being caught out on several occasions.

Their campaign began promisingly with a 2-1 home win over Leipzig, but after being thrashed 4-0 by Benfica, they came away empty-handed last time out.

Los Colchoneros have suffered three successive defeats in UEFA's elite competition only once before, and Simeone will be keen to avoid that fate in the French capital, where his increasingly questionable methods will be put to the ultimate test.

Last season's 3-1 win at Feyenoord is Atleti's only success in 10 Champions League away games - a run that included seven defeats - and their safety-first approach is no longer paying dividends outside Madrid.

Having reached the knockout rounds in nine of the last 11 seasons, the pressure is on to secure at least a play-off spot by finishing in the top 24, where they currently sit just outside on goal difference.

Their results in La Liga have been better, however, and on Sunday they beat Las Palmas 2-0, with goals from Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth lifting Atletico up to third in the table.

Recent Performance

Paris Saint-Germain Champions League form:WLD

Paris Saint-Germain form (all competitions):LDWDWW

Atletico Madrid Champions League form:WLL

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):DWLLWW

Team News

Luis Enrique made some big decisions at the weekend, dropping first-choice goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma in favour of Matvei Safonov and recalling Spanish striker Marco Asensio.

Asensio's return ends the experiment of playing Ousmane Dembele as a false nine, with the latter expected to start on the right wing. Bradley Barcola, who recently scored his eighth Ligue 1 goal of the season, will also be deployed in the final third.

Of course, conventional striker Goncalo Ramos is still sidelined with an ankle injury sustained in August, while Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles) and Atletico youth product Lucas Hernandez (ACL) are also on the sidelines.

The coach's son Giuliano Simeone could be back in the Atleti attack, with Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Alexander Sorloth also in contention.

Meanwhile, big-money acquisition Julian Alvarez has scored 13 goals in 20 Champions League appearances so far, despite averaging just 50 minutes a game. However, he has only scored once and created one goal in eight away games.

Robin Le Normand (head), Marcos Llorente (thigh) and Cesar Azpilicueta (calf) have all been ruled out through injury, while Thomas Lemar remains a doubt, although Pablo Barrios started on Sunday after a short spell on the sidelines with a muscle strain.

Possible starting lineups

Paris Saint-Germain possible starting lineup:

Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Dembele, Asensio, Barcola

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Molina, Witsel, Gimenez, Reinildo; De Paul, Koke, Barrios, Lino; Alvarez, Griezmann