As PSG prepare for their opening game of the 26/27 season against Premier League side Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup, here are how both teams line up
Later on today, at 21:00 CEST, PSG will begin their 26/27 season in the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa of the Premier League in Salzburg, Austria.
For those who need reminding, the Super Cup is played between the winners of Europe's two premium competitions: The UEFA Champions League, which PSG won on penalties against Arsenal after a 1-1 draw, and the UEFA Europa League, where Aston Villa beat German side Freiburg 3-0 in the final.
Whilst Luis Enrique's side are the favourites to win this evening, it is expected to be quite a competitive game, with Villa a very good side - albeit handicapped by the sales of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, Morgan Rogers to Chelsea - and as we all now know - Lucas Digne to PSG. All three players started the Europa League final back on the 20th of May.
Similarly to last year, pre-season has been a bit complicated for PSG, this time with the actual FIFA World Cup rather than the Club World Cup. The French internationals only returned to pre-season as recently as Monday, and some others from other nations have not been back much longer than that, and there have also been a number of sales.
With all of that in mind, Enrique has opted for the following XI in Austria tonight; Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Zaire-Emery; Akliouche, Doue, Kvaratskhelia.
Interesting team. Akliouche's debut for the club - competitive or otherwise - will be in a final, very exciting. It makes sense for Zaire-Emery and Doue to be able to start whilst Ousmane Dembele doesn't, considering the difference in minutes at the World Cup. Meanwhile, with all the links away, it felt unlikely Bradley Barcola would start.
The bench consists of Chevalier, Beraldo, Zabaryni, Hernandez, Digne, Ruiz, Fernandez, Mayulu, Mbaye, Barcola, Ndjantou, Dembele.
Felt like Mayulu may have started this one as a reward for his reported excellent work in pre-season, but fair play. Digne could come off the bench to play his first game back at PSG against his former club.
Meanwhile, in the Claret and Blue corner, former PSG manager has gone for the following side; Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings; Madjo.
This side shows just how light Villa are at the moment, with a couple of youngsters at the top end of the pitch. New signing Gomes makes his competitive debut, having made the switch from Wolves.
The Villa bench consists of; Wright, Asemota, Mings, Nedeljkovic, Cisse, Barkley, Bogarde, Rowe, Alysson, Burrowes, Abraham, Lynch.
Should be a very fun game. It is in that sweet spot where there is a European trophy on the line, and that is always great, whilst not being a disaster nor the end of the world if you do not win.
