Preview: Paris Saint-Germain face Atlético Madrid in FIFA Club World Cup opener

Two of Europe’s biggest names go head-to-head in Pasadena as Paris Saint-Germain meet Atlético Madrid in the Club World Cup’s first-ever all-European showdown (kick-off 12:00 local / 21:00 CEST).

The stage is set

This is a historic first Club World Cup appearance for both clubs – though PSG would have qualified under the old format thanks to their UEFA Champions League triumph last month. Instead, their place in the revamped Intercontinental Cup awaits in December. For now, attention turns to Group B, where Botafogo and Seattle Sounders round out the field.

Having already delivered a domestic and continental treble, Luis Enrique’s side arrive in California riding a wave of confidence. The capital club sealed Ligue 1 Uber Eats with a 19-point margin, lifted the Coupe de France, and crushed Inter Milan 5-0 in a record-breaking Champions League final. PSG struck a staggering 152 goals in all competitions last season, with flair players like Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doué stealing the show.

But defensively, cracks remain. PSG kept just three clean sheets in their final 12 matches – and that includes the group stage defeat to Atlético, when Ángel Correa struck a 93rd-minute winner at the Parc des Princes in November.

Atleti's shot at revival

Diego Simeone’s men may have edged PSG in the Champions League group stage, but a disappointing finish to the La Liga season saw them trail far behind rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Still, they ended the campaign with six wins in their last nine, and a potent front line including Antoine Griezmann and Julián Álvarez could pose a serious threat.

This may be Atleti’s first Club World Cup, but they’ve lifted the 1974 Intercontinental Cup, defeating Independiente after Bayern Munich declined to participate. There’s pedigree to draw on, even if the current squad needs to prove itself on the big stage once more.

Team news

PSG's only major concern is Ousmane Dembélé, who withdrew from the France squad due to injury. Bradley Barcola and Gonçalo Ramos are fit and competing for a spot in the starting XI, while Doué is now undroppable after his Champions League heroics.

Atlético arrive at full strength. Jan Oblak returned to action for Slovenia and joins a squad bolstered by five Argentina internationals, all of whom featured heavily in recent friendlies. Alexander Sørloth, fresh from a hat trick in the final La Liga game, could again be used as a high-impact substitute.

Probable line-ups

Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes – João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz – Doué, Gonçalo Ramos, Kvaratskhelia

Atlético Madrid:
Oblak – Molina, Le Normand, Giménez, Javi Galán – Simeone, De Paul, Koke, Gallagher – Griezmann, Álvarez

Did you know?

PSG scored 152 goals last season – their highest tally in club history.
Atlético Madrid have beaten PSG in two of their last three UEFA meetings.