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Strasbourg welcome PSG in high-stakes affair
The battle for Europe will be thrust sharply into on Saturday, starting with Paris Saint-Germain's trip to face RC Strasbourg. The league leaders may have their thoughts elsewhere in between legs of a Champions League semifinal, but will still be a difficult opponent for Liam Rosenior's young side.
In-form Moreira to lead the way for Racing
Of all the players to have grown by leaps and bounds under Rosenior this season, perhaps no one's development has been more impressive than that of Diego Moreira. Purchased from Chelsea for a pittance in the summer after a largely disappointing spell with Olympique Lyonnais last season, he's been one of the team's most reliable performers, able to play anywhere from fullback in a back four to on the wing in a front three. Hardworking and clever on the ball, he has been a player reborn, and this versatility has been a natural outgrowth of his improvement under Rosenior.
“Playing in several positions made me grow. I'm adapting, it's natural for me. The coach trusts me and that changes everything. No matter where I play, I'm happy as long as I can help the team," That help has been apparent throughout the season but even more so lately -- his goal and assist against Saint-Étienne last weekend were both incredibly well-worked, and show the importance of how Racing can trouble an opponent with attacking intent at every position, something which will surely put the champions under the kosh at La Meinau.
Sprinting to the weekend like... pic.twitter.com/Sygdwt2hCa
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace English (@RCSA_English) April 30, 2025
No Dembélé, no problem?
Despite an impressive 1-0 win in London in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal against Arsenal, questions remain over this Paris side. It's true that they've long since sealed their status as Ligue 1 McDonald's champions, but after losing their unbeaten status against OGC Nice last Friday, the sense is that this team is now solely focused on Europe, with a chance to win the continent's ultimate prize on offer. To that end, the visitors are expected to make a raft of chances, led by the enforced absence of Ousmane Dembélé, who was forced off in England with a hamstring issue. In his absence, Gonçalo Ramos is expected to lead the line, while the likes of Marquinhos, Gianluigi Donnarumma and Vitinha are also expected to be rested.
When questioned over what motivation might be left for his side, manager Luis Enrique dismissed the notion that there was a lack of energy for this match, saying, "Every minute of every game is important. That's what it's like when you play for Paris Saint-Germain. We'll do what we've done so far with the same idea as ever; nothing has changed. The most important thing is for every minute that the players spend playing for Paris Saint-Germain to be useful for our games in the other competitions." That said, with his team eyeing a third successive midweek match (including their draw against FC Nantes), there is more than a suggestion that La Meinau may be a happy home for his opposite number's young charges.
Predicted lineups:
RC Strasbourg (3-4-3): Petrovic; Sarr (or Doukouré), Omobamidele, Doué; Bakwa, Diarra, Santos, Barco; Lemarechal (or Nanasi), Emegha, Moreira
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi (or Zaïre-Emery), Beraldo, Pacho, Hernandez; Neves, Lee, Mayulu; Mbaye (or Kvaraskhelia), Ramos, Barcola
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