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How Paris Saint-Germain may lineup for Le Classique

By Praneet Shetty

Paris Saint-Germain team players (front row from L to R) Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria, Paris Saint-Germain's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish defender Juan Bernat, Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (back row from L to R) Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, Paris Saint-Germain's Belgian defender Thomas Meunier, Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain's French defender Presnel Kimpembe and Paris Saint-Germain's French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola pose for team photo rior to the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Paris Saint-Germain and SSC Napoli at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, on October 24, 2018. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain team players (front row from L to R) Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian forward Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain's Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria, Paris Saint-Germain's Italian midfielder Marco Verratti, Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish defender Juan Bernat, Paris Saint-Germain's French forward Kylian Mbappe (back row from L to R) Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender Marquinhos, Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder Adrien Rabiot, Paris Saint-Germain's Belgian defender Thomas Meunier, Paris Saint-Germain's Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani, Paris Saint-Germain's French defender Presnel Kimpembe and Paris Saint-Germain's French goalkeeper Alphonse Areola pose for team photo rior to the UEFA Champions League Group C football match between Paris Saint-Germain and SSC Napoli at the Parc des Princes stadium, in Paris, on October 24, 2018. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP) (Photo credit should read ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/Getty Images) /
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PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 20: Marquinhos of PSG celebrates his goal during the french Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Amiens SC at Parc des Princes stadium on October 20, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 20: Marquinhos of PSG celebrates his goal during the french Ligue 1 match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Amiens SC at Parc des Princes stadium on October 20, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

Right Back – Thomas Meunier

Thomas Meunier has been one of the best performing Parisians this season. With Dani Alves out injured, Meunier has taken absolute advantage of this situation and has impressed the coach and the fans alike. Having scored and assisted 3 times each for PSG, Thomas Meunier proves to be an extra attacking threat from the right flank and has averaged around 1.8 tackles per game in the 28 appearances that he’s made for club and country. The Belgian seems to be the obvious choice to start because it’s an important game and Tuchel cannot afford the huge risk of starting academy product Colin Dagba.

Center Back – Marquinhos

Marquinhos joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2013 from AS Roma and has since gone on to become one of the most important players in the club under the guidance and leadership of his idol and compatriot, Thiago Silva. Having established himself as one of the best defenders in Europe, Marquinhos is the team’s second captain and wears the armband in Silva’s absence. Often deployed as a no.6 by Tuchel, Thiago Silva’s injury will see him reprise the role of center back again. Marquinhos is often paired with Thiago Silva or Presnel Kimpembe at the back.

Center Back – Thilo Kehrer

Thilo Kehrer joined PSG this summer from Schalke. He hasn’t found much playing time as he is still settling in with the squad. However, Thiago Silva’s injury and Presnel Kimpembe’s 3 match suspension following his red card against Lyon means that the young German will get an opportunity to showcase his talent in a game of such magnitude. There may still be doubts between Kehrer and Stanley N’Soki, another youth product who has been playing really well when presented with an opportunity. However, Tuchel may choose his compatriot over the French youngster because of his technical abilities.

Left Back – Juan Bernat

Thomas Tuchel isn’t really spoiled for choice when it comes to Left Backs, nor was his predecessor Unai Emery. PSG has always seemed to have problems with left backs ever since Maxwell’s age started catching up on him. Laywin Kurzawa has never really lived up to the expectations and is currently out injured. This gives Juan Bernat, PSG’s deadline day signing, a chance to establish himself as a player fit to start for the team. Tired of being benched while at Bayern, Bernat answered PSG’s call and now is his chance to prove to everyone that PSG did the right thing in bringing him to the club. Although Bernat has performed well overall, he has been average against bigger teams and Le Classique may just turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Spaniard.

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