PSG possible starting XI for Ligue 1 encounter against AS Monaco

Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi
Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi

PSG are winless in two Ligue 1 games as they take on AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes on Sunday. Mauricio Pochettino's men have an 11 point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table but they haven't really been at their best in recent times.

It took Georginio Wijnaldum's strike in the 92nd minute of the game for PSG to steal a point against Lens in their latest Ligue 1 outing. A Keylor Navas howler had gifted Lens the lead almost half an hour prior to that. PSG then thrashed Club Brugge 4-1 in midweek.

In what was a very encouraging sign for the Parisians, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe combined well on the night. Both players bagged braces and Pochettino will be hoping for more of the same against AS Monaco.

However, AS Monaco will be no pushovers. Niko Kovac's men are unbeaten in their last eight games and will make life difficult for PSG.

Without further ado, let's take a look at how PSG could line up against AS Monaco.


PSG Possible Lineup against AS Monaco

Goalkeeper - Gianluigi Donnarumma

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

To give credit where it's due, Keylor Navas did well against Lens, producing a string of fine saves before letting one pass right through him. But that mistake is likely to cost him. Donnarumma started the Champions League game in midweek and is likely to keep his place in the starting XI against AS Monaco.

Right-back - Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi has been a mainstay in PSG's starting lineup ever since joining the club in the summer. He has not been at his best in recent weeks and it's about time that he starts justifying his €60 million price tag.

Centre-back - Marquinhos

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

PSG captain Marquinhos continues to be an ever-reliable presence at the back. He has nailed down a starting berth and will be focused on keeping the Monaco attackers at bay.

Centre-back - Presnel Kimpembe

Sergio Ramos picked up a muscle problem just a week after making his PSG debut. He is sidelined for this one, which means that Presnel Kimpembe is likely to start alongside Marquinhos.

Left-back - Juan Bernat

Juan Bernat is slowly establishing himself as PSG's first-choice centre-back once again. The exciting Nuno Mendes was hooked after just 50 minutes against Club Brugge. Bernat has done a decent job since returning from injury and could possibly start against AS Monaco.

Defensive midfielder - Idrissa Gueye

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

AS Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni has been one of the best midfielders in Ligue 1 this term. PSG will be cautious not to let Tchouameni and Yossouf Fofana run things in midfield. They need a bit of bite in the center of the park and that is exactly what Idrissa Gueye is capable of providing.

PSG do not get a whole lot of defensive contributions out of their front three. In games like these, they need that extra bit of protection in front of the defence. Gueye's energy and relentless running will go a long way towards keeping things tidy in the centre of the park.

Central midfielder - Georginio Wijnaldum

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

After an extremely underwhelming start to life at Paris Saint-Germain, Georginio Wijnaldum seems to finally be finding his feet. He has turned in a few solid performances in recent weeks, and it was his 92nd minute strike that helped PSG salvage a point last weekend.

Wijnaldum might be edging closer to nailing down a starting berth at his new club. His recent performances against RB Leipzig, Bordeaux and Lens have allayed the fears and apprehensions that fans would have harbored after his difficult start to life in Paris.

Central midfielder - Marco Verratti

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

PSG's trusted midfield technician Marco Verratti has done a good job in recent weeks. He orchestrated play from deep to good effect against Nantes. Although he followed it up with an underwhelming display against Nice, he stepped it up in the 1-1 draw against Lens.

Verratti gave a good account of himself in the 4-1 thumping of Club Brugge in midweek. The Italian international will be central to PSG's attacking plans against PSG.

Pochettino will be counting on Verratti's neat twists and turns, close control and creativity to make things happen for his side on Sunday.

The 29-year-old is one of only four players in Europe to average 10 or more open play passes to the final third per 90 minutes.

Left winger - Kylian Mbappe

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

Kylian Mbappe has inarguably been PSG's best player this season. He has scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in 22 appearances across all competitions so far this term. Mbappe ran riot against Club Brugge in midweek, scoring two goals and providing the assist for one of Lionel Messi's goals as well.

It was Mbappe who set Georginio Wijnaldum up to score PSG's equalizer in the 1-1 draw against Lens last weekend. After dropping a couple of colourless performances against Saint Etienne and Nice, Mbappe seems to be back to his best.

As Neymar is sidelined with an injury, Mbappe will take his place on the left flank. The Frenchman will be looking to run in behind the likes of Djibril Sidibe and Guillermo Maripan.

Striker - Lionel Messi

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

98 players have scored more goals than Lionel Messi in Ligue 1 so far this season. It has not been easy for the Argentina international in the league but he has produced some remarkable performances in the Champions League.

Messi bagged a brace against Club Brugge and combined well with Kylian Mbappe. The 34-year-old has six goals and four assists to his name in 14 appearances for PSG so far. The numbers are starting to look better and it is a reflection of how Messi is taking to life in Paris.

He will play down the center and could even be used as a false nine against AS Monaco.

Right winger - Angel Di Maria

Paris Saint Germain v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 Uber Eats
Paris Saint Germain v Lille OSC - Ligue 1 Uber Eats

Angel Di Maria has done well against AS Monaco in the past. In 15 appearances against PSG's Sunday opponents, Di Maria has scored eight goals and provided six assists. He has done a decent job so far this season and turned in an impressive performance against Club Brugge in midweek.

The Argentine is likely to be sent back to the bench once Neymar Jr. returns. But until then, he has a point to prove as the Brazilian has not been in great form himself.

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