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Leipzig - PSG may not have much of a history in the UEFA Champions League compared to that of other fixtures, but these two sides are gradually making their mark in the competition.
The two sides met in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season, where goals from Marquinhos, Angel di Maria and Juan Bernat inspired PSG to a 3-0 win in Lisbon.
Neymar Jr., PSG's €222 million acquisition from Barcelona, was a key player in that game. But after limping off against Istanbul Basaksehir on Matchday 2 of this season's competition, he is unavailable for the game at Leipzig.
Kylian Mbappe is also ruled out of the Leipzig game with a hamstring injury; he faces a test in 48 hours to determine the extent of his injury. Nevertheless, Thomas Tuchel has a bevvy of stars to call upon who could make an impact in this game, as does his counterpart on the touchline, Julien Nagelsmann.
On that note, let's take a look at five players from either team to keep an eye on in this intriguing matchup:
#5 Moise Kean (PSG)
The Italian youngster, who is only 20 years old, had a disappointing spell at Everton. However, a change of scenery has done him wonders. After arriving in Paris, Moise Kean has looked like a player reborn.
Mauro Icardi's injury meant that Kean got a chance in PSG's first team, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands. The former Juventus starlet grabbed a brace in each of PSG's games in Dijon and Istanbul Basaksehir, scoring four goals in his last three games for the Parisian club.
Kean's knack for being at the right place at the right time might come in handy against a Leipzig side who've looked a bit disorganised at the back of late. In the absence of Neymar, Mauro Icardi and Kylian Mbappe, Thomas Tuchel will need Kean to step up and deliver. If the player's recent form is anything to go by, he should be up for the challenge.
#4 Christopher Nkunku (Leipzig)
The former PSG youngster, Christopher N'kunku, will obviously look to get one over his old teammates, especially after losing 3-0 against them last season.
N'kunku has no regrets on his move to Germany, labelling it an 'absolutely correct decision' in an interview with Kicker earlier this week.
“I played over 50 games, scored goals, provided assists, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and played for the top spot in the Bundesliga. So, the move wasn’t such a bad idea. I can now say that it’s worth leaving your comfort zone to grow,” said N'kunku.
His recent form has been iffy. With N'kunku looking quiet against both Manchester United and Borussia Monchengladbach, Leipzig failed to score in both games. Clearly, he's an important cog in Nagelsmann's wheel, having provided more assists and chances (13 and 74 respectively) than any other player for Leipzig last season.
N'kunku's direct running and cleverness on the ball could cause PSG plenty of problems. Julian Nagelsmann could be counting on him to ensure that the likes of Youssuf Poulsen and Alexander Sorloth prosper up front.
#3 Danilo Pereira (PSG)
Portuguese midfielder Danilo, who arrived on loan from FC Porto this summer, made an instant impression at PSG with a strong debut performance against Manchester United in the Champions League when some of his more illustrious teammates failed.
However, injuries to key players have meant that Thomas Tuchel has had to field Danilo at centre-back, a position he hasn't played in since his youth days. It must be all the more disconcerting for the Portuguese midfielder that Marquinhos has played in midfield during this period.
Nevertheless, Danilo has not complained, and with PSG keeping three clean sheets in as many games he has played as a defender, the player has certainly answered Thomas Tuchel's call. With Leipzig arguably the best attacking opposition he will come up against as a defender, Danilo will need to be on his toes.
#2 Dayot Upamecano (Leipzig)
RB Leipzig are very much aware that Dayot Upamecano is being chased by a plethora of top European clubs like Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The player has extended his contract at Leipzig till 2023. But with his release clause being reportedly €50 million, the 22-year-old Frenchman might be playing his final season with Leipzig.
However, Upamecano certainly did not look like a €50 million defender against Manchester United last week, as Marcus Rashford embarrassed him multiple times in a game the Reds won 5-0.
Upamecano also played the full 90 minutes against Borussia Monchengladbach last weekend but looked leggy and made quite a few mistakes as his side fell to a 1-0 defeat.
Questions are being asked of Upamecano, and with PSG's first-choice attacking trio all injured, the onus will be on the player to respond with a performance that would be more akin with his price tag.
#1 Angel di Maria (PSG)
In the absence of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar Jr. and Mauro Icardi, PSG will look at Angel di Maria to step up in the attacking third, especially given their lack of options up front.
Di Maria normally operates in the middle of the park for Thomas Tuchel but may occupy a more advanced role against Leipzig. He's clearly the type of player that makes the Parisians tick. In the absence of PSG's headline-grabbing attacking trio, Di Maria's performance could be all the more crucial against Leipzig.
Di Maria turned in a scintillating performance against Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League semi-final last season, where he scored a goal and grabbed an assist. Tuchel will need the Argentinian to deliver a similar performance in Germany, especially as this game could be pivotal in deciding who qualifies for the knockout round from the group.
