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PSG-Paris FC preview
Luis Enrique says Paris Saint-Germain “love” the Coupe de France, but the coach is hoping for less drama when his side host Paris FC for the second time in eight days in the competition’s last 16 on Monday.
The reigning European champions squandered a lead and found themselves 2-1 down in the 87th minute against Marseille in the Champions Trophy on Thursday in Kuwait, where substitute Goncalo Ramos’ 95th-minute equalizer earned them a 2-2 draw before goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier made two saves in their shootout victory.
“In terms of rhythm, I think it is better to play every four days rather than every ten days,” suggested Luis Enrique, whose team beat Paris 2-1 at home in Ligue 1 on January 4.
“The most tiring thing is the travel but we are used to it, so that’s no excuse. We are focused on this match. It’s like a final because it’s a knockout match.”
Paris are four points above the relegation zone after taking two points from their last six league matches, but beat US Raon-l’Etape 3-0 away in the fifth division of the Coupe de France thanks to Jonathan Ikone’s hat-trick.
“We hope to upset PSG, but we will have to be more clinical,” said manager Stéphane Gilli, who believes that playing PSG twice in a row has made their preparation easier.
“I hope we can achieve something. In the first half, if we had been more clinical in three or four situations we could have done better, and maybe even could have saved the draw with a little more luck.
“We struggled on two or three occasions. On two or three others we could have put pressure on them.
“We conceded one goal on a transition and the other on a counter-attack when we were in their penalty area and had a clear chance to score.”
News from the PSG-Paris team
Defender Lucas Hernandez is doubtful for PSG due to illness. Goalkeeper Matvei Safonov (hand) and forwards Lee Kang-in (left thigh muscle) and Quentin Ndjantou (hamstring) trained individually.
Moroccan right-back Achraf Hakimi and Senegalese striker Ibrahim Mbaye are participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Striker Luka Koleosho has joined Paris on loan from Premier League club Burnley. “He lacks playing time but he is eligible and fit to be a part of the team,” Gilli said.
“[He brings] speed and power. He is a dynamic and energetic player with a lot of endurance. He can play on both the right and left side and is comfortable with either foot.
Right-back Hamari Traoré is injured and striker Pierre-Yves Hamel (calf) and midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou (shin) have been out since November.
The teams of Algerian midfielder Ilan Kebbal and Ivorian striker Jean-Philippe Krasso suffered elimination from the CAN on Saturday. Striker Moses Simon is still involved with Nigeria.
PSG-Paris planned lineups
PSG starting lineup: Lucas Chevalier, Warren Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Paris FC starting lineup: Kevin Trapp, Nhoa Sangui, Mousthan Mbow, Timothee Kolodzijczak, Otávio, Thabult De Smet, Jonathan Ikone, Maxime Lopez, A Almamami Gory, Almami Gory, Armami Gory, Willem Geubelsss
How to watch PSG v Paris: TV channel, live stream online
Kick-off on Sunday will be at 8:10 p.m. GMT (3:10 p.m. ET / 12:10 p.m. PT). This match is not shown live in the UK.
PSG-Paris statistics
- The meeting between the sides earlier this month was the first Ligue 1 match between the clubs since the 1-1 draw against Paris FC in December 1978.
- Paris have won two and lost five of their nine away games in Ligue 1 this season, giving them the 10th best away record in the league.
- They had kept clean sheets in three of their previous four away matches in all competitions before losing to PSG, beating Monaco 1-0 and drawing 0-0 at Le Havre either side of a 1-0 win at Monaco.
- Ikone played for PSG between 2010 and 2018, making his senior debut in 2016 after coming through the youth ranks.
- Visiting goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was at PSG between 2015 and 2019
- PSG, the reigning champion, is the most successful team in the world. French Cup history, winning 16 titles
- They have won their last four home matches in all competitions by an aggregate score of 15-4.
- Since a 1-0 defeat in Monaco on November 29, PSG went six matches without defeat and kept three clean sheets
- Their last home defeat was a 3-1 loss to Nice on April 25.
- Ramos scored twice after goals from Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé in their 4-0 victory over fifth division Vendée side Fontenay Foot in the round of 16
