This is how PSG will reshape its lineup ahead of the match against Toulouse.
On the eve of the PSG-Toulouse match, which will open Ligue 1's Matchday 28 on Friday evening, it is already possible to identify the likely lineups for both teams -- even if there are several uncertainties on the Paris side following the international break and ahead of Liverpool.
Luis Enrique had not hidden his displeasure before the international break at having to play Toulouse as early as Friday evening, given that several of his internationals were played Tuesday evening in Europe and, more importantly, in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the United States.
That is the case, notably, for Marquinhos with Brazil, as well as for Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Goncalo Ramos with Portugal; Joao Neves did not participate in the 2-0 victory over Mauricio Pochettino's United States.
Beyond the physical fatigue accumulated during these international matches, some players also face the additional toll of the transatlantic journey and jet lag.
A heavy rotation is therefore to be expected on the Paris side, especially since this Ligue 1 match against Toulouse falls just before the two Champions League quarterfinal legs against Liverpool -- the first leg on April 8 at the Parc des Princes and the return on April 14 at Anfield.
A Largely Reshuffled Defense Against Toulouse
In goal, Matvey Safonov should logically continue, having been present at the Campus on Wednesday after playing only Russia's first match during the break. Achraf Hakimi was substituted in the 69th minute against Paraguay on Tuesday evening after delivering two assists, but the match was played in Lens.
The Moroccan should therefore be able to start against Toulouse -- unlike Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, and Nuno Mendes.
Rested against France due to thigh discomfort, Marquinhos played 90 minutes against Croatia in the early hours of Wednesday morning in the United States, as did Mendes, while Pacho played 180 minutes against Morocco and the Netherlands -- both matches played in Europe.
But this is a good opportunity to give the Ecuadorians a rest, especially since Lucas Beraldo recovered during the break, as he was not called up by Brazil.
Beraldo should therefore partner Ilya Zabarnyi, who suffered a defeat with Ukraine against Sweden in the European playoff before playing 90 minutes against Albania in a friendly on Tuesday in Valencia. Lucas Hernandez, who played for France against Colombia on Sunday evening, was present at the Campus on Wednesday and should be able to feature on Friday at left back.
Doubts in Midfield and Attack for PSG
In midfield, Vitinha should be rested, while Fabian Ruiz is close to returning but will at best be included in the squad -- if that.
There is no question of the Spaniard starting on Friday. Warren Zaire-Emery has a good chance of starting as the holding midfielder, with Dro Fernandez expected to join him in the middle, likely on the left.
On the right, Lee Kang-in has a chance to start after playing 90 minutes on Tuesday with South Korea in Austria. Joao Neves is another option, but the Portuguese returned late from the United States, and the staff will take no risks with him ahead of Liverpool.
Finally, there is the attacking line, with Ousmane Dembele having played only 1 hour for France against Brazil, raising doubts about his physical condition. The 2025 Ballon d'Or winner did not appear in the training footage shared by PSG on Wednesday evening, and it remains to be seen whether he will be able to play on Friday.
With Bradley Barcola injured, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia should start on the left wing, with Desire Doue on the right. If Dembele cannot start, Doue could be used centrally with Ibrahim Mbaye on the right -- the latter having provided an assist and scored for Senegal during the break.
PSG's predicted lineup vs. Toulouse: Safonov; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Hernandez; Lee (or Neves), Zaire-Emery, Dro; Doue (or Mbaye), Dembele (or Doue), Kvaratskhelia.
Toulouse With the Same Starting XI as Against Marseille?
On Toulouse's side, Carles Martinez Novell will be without suspended Argentine winger Santiago Hidalgo, as well as English center back Charlie Cresswell, out with a hamstring injury, and Ghanaian midfielder Abu Francis, who is in the recovery phase after suffering a double tibia-fibula fracture last November.
Toulouse also had two players in the United States in the early hours of Wednesday morning: American center back Mark McKenzie, who played one minute against Portugal, and Canadian center forward Jacen Russell-Rowe, who played 15 minutes against Tunisia. The former could start against Paris -- the latter probably not.
Previously injured players Dayann Methalie, Frank Magri, and Rafik Messali have returned to training in recent days and could make their return to the squad on Friday against PSG. Methalie even has a good chance of starting at left wing-back against PSG. If that is the case, the Toulouse starting XI could look very similar to the one that started -- and lost 1-0 -- against Marseille last month.
Toulouse's predicted lineup vs. PSG: Restes; Sidibe, McKenzie, Nicolaisen; Kamanzi, Casseres, Diop, Methalie; Donnum, Emersonn, Gboho.