Paris Saint-Germain is preparing for a decisive match in Ligue1 before facing Barcelona in the Champions League. The PSG team, which occupies sixth position with three points behind the leaders, is looking for a jump in the table after the 4‑2 victory over Manchester City on the second day of the European tournament. The team's objective is clear: “If we win, we will be among the top three,” said LuisEnrique in the press conference prior to the match against Strasbourg.
The Asturian coach did not reveal whether he will make squad changes thinking about the duel with his former team, but he showed a certain irony when commenting on the words of Maresca, the Manchester City coach, who had said that PSG could rotate due to the low competitiveness of the French league. "It is typically the noise around a team like PSG. Before arriving, I heard that this club would never win the Champions League because of the level of the championship. Then, when you win, people find excuses and complain. It's life, we accept it," explained LuisEnrique.
Strasbourg, which occupies eleventh position with seven points, also presents itself as a young but quality rival. LuisEnrique admitted that it will be a difficult match, but stressed the importance of winning to consolidate PSG's position among the top three in the standings. "Strasbourg is a very young team, but with a lot of quality. They will want to prove their worth against us. We have traveled and we will do it again tomorrow - today -. We want to win to be among the top three in the standings. We are in a good moment, we are happy and we want to continue like this," he added.
The match will be played at the Stade de la Meinau at 5:15 p.m. (DAZN). PSG's likely lineups include Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho and Mendes in defense, with Zaire-Emery, Beraldo, FabiánRuiz, Neves, Doué and Dembélé in attack. For Strasbourg, Jorgensen is expected in goal, with Antwi, Mitchell, Coulibaly and Oso in defense, and Sousa, Diop, Essugo, Reyna and Yassine in midfield.
With the victory over Manchester City, PSG positions itself as one of the favorites to advance in the group stage of the Champions League. The result against Strasbourg will be crucial to determine whether the French club can consolidate its position at the top of the table and continue with its aspiration to compete for the Ligue 1 title. Next day, PSG faces Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, where the pressure will be even greater.