Shortly after 13pm on Tuesday, the Parisians landed in Newcastle before training one last time on the lawn of Saint James' Park at the end of the day, where all the announced players were present. Luis Enrique brought a group of 19 players that does not include the injured (Mendes, Kimpembe, Asensio), the non-registered players like Ndour, Ekitike and Kurzawa, as well as Kang in-Lee, mobilized for the Asian Games with the South Korean selection.
When it comes to composing his starting eleven, the Spanish coach could return to classic. After having blown several elements to Clermont (0-0), he should field a team close or similar to the one that started against Dortmund (2-0 victory) on September 19. In a 4-3-3 scheme, Vitinha would find her hybrid role in midfield, with Manuel Ugarte and Warren Zaire-Emery.
Sunday and Monday sessions focused on recovery
It is especially in front of that the doubt remains. Randal Kolo Muani has just chained the last three games in the shoes of a starter for a goal scored at the forefront of the attack and two assists. Facing a team "that presses well and has good football ideas", as Luis Enrique pointed out in a press conference, the profile of the French international could be useful to take advantage of the spaces in the back of the defense. If he does not start this time, the number nine spot would go to Gonçalo Ramos to bring weight into the penalty area.
Another option not to be neglected, that of a change of system as was the case in the last two meetings of PSG. Against OM and Clermont, Luis Enrique fielded a hybrid 4-3-3 evolving in 4-2-4 or 3-3-4 in the offensive phase. In recent weeks, the Spanish technician has even worked on a 4-2-3-1 scheme in training. But since the return from Auvergne, the training sessions on Sunday and Monday have mainly focused on recovery. As usual, Luis Enrique did not set up during the last training session on the eve of the match and will not reveal his plan and the starters until two hours before the start of the match.
On Wednesday evening, more than 52,000 spectators, including 2,105 Parisians, are expected in the enclosure. A victory on English soil would allow PSG to take a little more ascendancy at the top of the group, Newcastle having launched its campaign with a draw a fortnight ago on the field of AC Milan (0-0).
