Match Preview: PSG host Montpellier
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Matchday 2 of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season kicks off with the holders, Paris Saint-Germain once again. After the capital side's win over Le Havre last Friday, they'll host Montpellier HSC at the Parc des Princes looking to steal a march on their opponents in the title race.
Attack by committee?
After Gonçalo Ramos was forced off through injury, having suffered an issue with his ankle that could keep him out through the new year, Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique will have to look for a solution to lead the line. His two primary choices are Randal Kolo Muani and Marco Asensio. The French international, also capable of playing on the right flank, is likely to have the edge over the former Real Madrid player, who would operate as more of a false nine.
Elsewhere in the team, after a sterling performance off the bench with two assists, Portuguese midfielder João Neves is likely to be included from the off, lining up alongside his compatriot Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery. In defence, captain Marquinhos was only used from the bench in Le Havre, but should partner summer signing Willian Pacho in defence, with only the fitness of Nuno Mendes at left back a question. Should the Portuguese international not pass fit, Enrique could again call on teenager Yoram Zague, while the team's latest signing, Désiré Doué, is likely to start this match on the bench.
Faith in the familiar
Montpellier, as we noted in our season preview, have been relatively quiet in the mercato, with no new arrivals. That said, they still have a deep and talented side at the disposal of manager Michel der Zakarian, with captain Téji Savanier driving an attack featuring the talents of Akor Adams, Arnaud Nordin and Musa Al Tamaari. Savanier was crucial last week as he netted a penalty in the second half against Strasbourg, earning his side a one-all draw at home. While Wahbi Khazri is unavailable, der Zakarian can also call on the likes of Tanguy Coulibaly and Othmane Maamma, a promising young winger.
In defence, the manager has had to employ a rather more makeshift approach to his lineup, with a raft of regulars injured, including Christopher Jullien and Issiaga Sylla. Despite only getting a draw against Racing on Sunday, La Paillade showed plenty of promise going forward, displaying, as der Zakarian's teams so often too, plenty of threat on the counter. Expect the manager to name an unchanged side and to look for opportunities on the break against a PSG side which has its own absences with which to contend.
Predicted Lineups:
PSG (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes (or Zague); Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Dembélé, Kolo Muani, Barcola
Montpellier (4-2-3-1): Lecomte; Tchato, Omeragic, Sagnan, Sacko; Chotard, Ferri; Nordin, Savanier, Al Tamaari; Adams
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