PSG Return to Ligue 1 Matters: Strasbourg Opposition Preview

After Wednesday night’s heroics away to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League, PSG’s attention will quickly and briefly return to domestic matters and the trip to Strasbourg this Saturday for match day seven.

So, what can we expect from the hosts?

It has been a tough start to the season for Strasbourg, who have seven points from their first six games. In their last three outings, they have only mustered a solitary point, losing both of their previous games on the road with a scoreline of 2-1.

PSG fans will be familiar with goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who had an absolute nightmare for Chelsea against Luis Enrique’s side in the first leg of the round of 16 clash in the Champions League last season. In the summer, he was loaned out to Strasbourg.

He is not the only player in their ranks to be on loan from the Premier League side. You also have highly thought of youngster Dario Essugo in the midfield, who has already shown plenty of promise so far and scored in the defeat at Nice last time out.

English winger Samuel Amo-Ameyaw scored twice in a 27 minute cameo against Troyes last month, though it is the only game he has scored or assisted in this season. Still, he is a player with a lot of threat in behind, and PSG will have to be wary of him during counter attacks throughout the game.

Manager Hugo Oliveira took over in the summer after Gary O'Neil left for newly promoted side Ipswich Town. The 47-year old had previously managed Famalicao in his native Portugal for 18 months, winning 24, drawing 16 and losing 17 of his games in charge. He has currently won two, drawn one and lost three of his first six games at Strasbourg, and likes to set his team up in a 4231 or 433 formation. 

The fact that the hosts have had a week having not qualified for any European competition this season could play into their hands. PSG played an intense game against City < 72 hours before this game, alongside the travelling to and from Manchester, and then all the way across France to the German border to face Strasbourg. Rotation, once again, may be crucial in this one. 

Possible XI for Strasbourg against PSG on Saturday evening; Jorgensen; Antwi, Mitchell, Coulibaly, Oso; Lobao, Diop, Essugo; Yassine, Harder, Amo-Ameyaw (433). Let's see.