Paris Saint-Germain is preparing to face Olympique Lyonnais without two pillars of its attack. KhvichaKvaratskhelia is likely unavailable for the rest of the season, and OusmaneDembélé will be out for about a month. With no winter reinforcement planned, coach LuisEnrique will have to test internal options during the shock of the 8th day of Ligue1, which will be played this Monday evening at the Parc des Princes.
Since the departure of Kvaratskhelia, the Parisian club has already had to face an additional problem: Dembélé's injury. The 23-year-old, who was one of the hopes of the season, will not be available for the next competitions. This double absence of major attackers forces LuisEnrique to turn to his summer recruits and the club's young people to make up the deficit.
Among the options offered, MaghnesAkliouche, the 24-year-old winger, is increasingly in demand after a discreet start to the season. The coach appreciates his versatility and his ability to play as a winger, in the middle or closer to the goal. MikaGodts, who arrived from Ajax Amsterdam to replace Kvaratskhelia, has only had one start yet. He still has to adapt to the Parisian pace and prove that he can play reliably on the left.
FerranTorres, meanwhile, has scored seven goals in his first six matches but has gone through a period of slump in form in recent weeks. He is now called upon to occupy the forefront of the attack in the absence of Dembélé. The Spaniard, who has already been Paris' top scorer this season, is renowned for his versatility and understanding of the possession game that LuisEnrique favors. He should be installed at number 9 against Les Gones.
Finally, the club has two young talents from training: SennyMayulu, 20 years old, and QuentinNdjantou, 19 years old. Mayulu, capable of playing in multiple positions, can provide technical quality between the lines, while Ndjantou remains one to watch. Despite the absence of Kvaratskhelia and Dembélé, PSG has alternatives, but they still lack immediate guarantees.
The match against OL will therefore be an opportunity to measure the effectiveness of the summer's choices and to see if the internal options are sufficient to cover the two major absences. LuisEnrique will have to show creativity and confidence in his young players to maintain the competitiveness of the team in the coming days.