PSG possible starting XI for Champions League encounter against Club Brugge

Mauricio Pochettino’s Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will look to cap off their Champions League group stage campaign in perfect style when they host Club Brugge on Tuesday night. PSG were bested by Manchester City on matchday five, forcing the Parisians to settle for a second-place finish in Group A.

PSG have also been quite lackluster in Ligue 1 over the last two matchdays. The league leaders first played out a goalless draw with Nice and then needed to dig deep to secure a draw against Lens on Saturday. The stalemate with Lens left PSG with only a single win from their last four outings.

The club from the French capital do not have anything on the line in their final Champions League group stage fixture. However, given their recent run of form, Pochettino would love nothing more than a dominant display.

Here's how they could line up against Club Brugge on Tuesday night in the Champions League:

Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma

Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Keylor Navas made a mess of Lens midfielder Seko Fofana's long-range effort on Saturday, allowing them to take the lead against PSG.

That mistake could end up costing him his place in the team and see Donnarumma return between the sticks.

Right-back - Achraf Hakimi

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Although Achraf Hakimi was not PSG’s best performer against Lens, he was a constant threat down the right-hand channel.

The Morocco international provided three key passes on the night and could prove to be decisive against Brugge on Tuesday.

Centre-back - Marquinhos

The PSG captain is not only a fearless leader, but he is also one of their best performers.

Against a spirited Brugge side, PSG will need Marquinhos' quality to keep the visitors from wheeling away in celebration.

Centre-back - Abdou Diallo

Paris Saint-Germain v RB Leipzig: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Abdou Diallo was rested against Lens on Saturday, meaning he should be ready to go against Brugge this week.

Diallo’s composure is bound to come in handy against Brugge’s creative forces.

Left-back - Nuno Mendes

Pochettino picked Juan Bernat ahead of Nuno Mendes against Lens. Unfortunately, Bernat could not quite make the most of the opportunity and was rather unadventurous.

Mendes should return to the fold for this one and add some oomph to PSG’s attack.

Central midfielder - Leandro Paredes

Club Brugge KV v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes is yet to establish himself as one of the first names on Mauricio Pochettino’s team-sheet. However, the Argentine manager is not shy of giving Paredes a chance every now and then.

The Argentina international started against Lens on Saturday and played 70 minutes. His distribution was impressive and he also proved to be a destructive force in the middle. He won six duels, performed two clearances and completed three tackles.

PSG will need Paredes’ defensive qualities in the middle of the pitch against Club Brugge. The visitors are quite capable of overloading the midfield, and Paredes’ game-reading could kill the threats in their crib.

Defensive midfielder - Idrissa Gueye

PSG defensive midfielder Idrissa Gueye has been a rock at the back for the Parisians. Gueye brings forth a unique combination of finesse and industry, which helps his teammates immensely.

PSG need someone to anchor the midfield in their final Champions League group stage fixture against Brugge, and we’re backing Gueye to be that man.

The former Everton man has enjoyed an impressive season so far for PSG. Not only has he been rock-solid in the middle, but he has also popped up with a few goals.

In 17 appearances across all competitions, Gueye has netted four goals, with one of them coming against Manchester City on Champions League matchday two.

Central midfielder - Georginio Wijnaldum

RB Leipzig v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Former Liverpool star Georginio Wijnaldum moved to Paris as a free agent in the summer of 2021. Since that move, the Netherlands international has been surprisingly quiet, rarely posing a threat to the opposition goal.

In fact, his only goal in Ligue 1 this season came on Saturday itself, in the 1-1 draw with Lens. Wijnaldum’s injury time-winner has earned him some street credit at PSG and we are hoping to see him in a more prominent role against Brugge.

Wijnaldum could do quite a bit of damage in a more advanced role and Pochettino will be tempted to try that out on Tuesday.

The midfielder scored a match-saving brace against RB Leipzig in Champions League gameweek 4 and we are backing him to produce another masterclass this week.

Right-winger - Angel Di Maria

Paris Saint-Germain v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League semi-final: Leg One

Angel Di Maria has been one of PSG’s biggest protagonists since his move from Manchester United in 2014. The versatile Argentine may lack the bling that some of his teammates possess, but he often plays a key role in proceedings.

Against Lens, however, Di Maria ended up doing a bit of damage to his reputation, missing a big chance in the second half. He did try to make amends by playing some inventive passes, but could not seal a win for PSG.

Despite his misfortune in Ligue 1, Di Maria should get the nod to lead the PSG line on Wednesday. He still has plenty to offer and could prove to be decisive against a gritty Brugge outfit.

Striker - Mauro Icardi

Paris Saint Germain v RC Strasbourg - Ligue 1 Uber Eats

Mauro Icardi was chosen to lead PSG’s line in the 1-1 draw with Lens on Saturday, but cut a frustrating figure.

Not only did he miss a big opportunity to put PSG ahead, but he also failed to trouble the keeper. Both of his on-target attempts were comfortably dealt with.

Once a destructive force in Serie A, Mauro Icardi seems to have lost his lethal touch in front of goal.

The Argentine has not done enough to claim a starting XI spot against Brugge but could benefit from Pochettino’s rotation.

Left-winger - Kylian Mbappe

Kylian Mbappe started the campaign brightly for PSG with a flurry of goals and assists. However, over the last few matchdays, he has lost his shine, missing quite a few presentable opportunities.

Mbappe has taken on the role of a creator in the Champions League this season. In five outings, the Frenchman has registered five assists but scored only two goals.

Against Brugge, Mbappe would love to bring balance to the tally and hit the back of the net a time or two.

PSG to rest Lionel Messi against Club Brugge

Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi is likely to be rested in PSG’s final Champions League group stage outing on Tuesday. Although fully fit, Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to risk his superstar in a game that has no bearings on PSG’s Group A positioning.

Irrespective of the outcome of the game against Brugge, PSG will finish behind Manchester City in Group A.

The Argentine was in the starting XI against Lens on Saturday and came close to scoring his second Ligue 1 goal for PSG. Unfortunately, the goalpost came in the way, stopping the Ligue 1 leaders from bagging maximum points.

About the author

Then-ardent follower of Cricket, Sushan Chakraborty pledged his undying allegiance to football in 2006. The reason? Zinedine Zidane's wizardry against pre-tournament favorites Brazil in the 2006 World Cup QFs.

Sushan is a die-hard Real Madrid fan and is the president of Pena Madridista de Calcutta — East India's only official Real Madrid fan club. Eternal captain Sergio Ramos is Sushan's all-time favorite footballer, and the Spaniard's immortal header against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon remains his most cherished footballing memory.

Need an update or a refresher course on Real Madrid? Hit him up and he'll be happy to assist you!

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Edited by Samya Majumdar