PSG face UCL debutants Girona in league phase clash.
Paris Saint Germain vs
Girona
As Paris Saint-Germain, buoyed by their league-topping form, host UEFA Champions League debutants Girona at Parc des Princes, both teams are primed for a captivating clash that promises to showcase the resilience of Les Parisiens and the spirited ambition of the Catalan newcomers.
Paris Saint Germain
PSG are riding high after a comeback 3-1 victory over Brest, just in time for their inaugural match in the revamped UEFA Champions League. Despite initial concerns about Kylian Mbappe’s departure, life at Parc des Princes looks promising.
The French champions top Ligue 1 with four consecutive wins, placing them three points ahead of Marseille and Monaco. On Wednesday, PSG aim to extend their domestic success to the European stage as they face UCL newcomers Girona.
Les Parisiens boast an impressive home record in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, with only one defeat in 36 home games. Their objective is to maintain this form and secure a top-eight finish in the league phase.
Luis Enrique is likely to stick with the 4-3-3 formation used against Brest, featuring Marco Asensio as the centre-forward alongside Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembélé, who scored twice over the weekend.
Girona
UCL debutants Girona will be hoping to secure a victory on their very first appearance in the competition as they travel to Parc des Princes. An unbelievable fairy-tale run last season saw Girona achieve an unprecedented 3rd-place finish, securing automatic qualification for the tournament.
With their spot in the revamped UEFA Champions League, Girona became the 14th Spanish side to participate in the competition. They are also one of five clubs making their UCL debuts in this edition, along with Aston Villa, Bologna, Brest, and Slovan Bratislava.
A recent 4-1 loss to Barcelona in the Catalan derby ended Girona's two-game winning streak, marking a somewhat sluggish start to the season. Nevertheless, with the last three Spanish debutants—Villarreal, Sevilla, and Malaga—earning wins in their UCL debuts, Girona will aim to follow in their footsteps.
Manager Michel might choose to mirror the opposition’s 4-3-3 formation, with Abel Ruiz likely to spearhead the attack. Viktor Tsyhankov and Bryan Gil could join the 24-year-old to form the attacking trio.
