PSG Seeks Redemption Against Resurgent Saint-Étienne
paris Saint-Germain, reeling from a 3-1 defeat against Nantes in their last outing, are eager to bounce back as they welcome Saint-Étienne to the Parc des Princes.
Despite fielding their star-studded attacking trio of Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi, PSG will be missing several key players due to injury. notable absentees include Hakimi, Kurzawa, Paredes, Herrera, and Ramos, leaving manager Mauricio Pochettino with selection headaches.
Saint-Étienne,meanwhile,have shown signs of life in recent weeks,securing a draw and three consecutive victories in Ligue 1. They arrive in Paris determined to capitalize on PSG’s vulnerabilities.
Live Match updates:
21:00: mbappé gets the match underway!
20:59: Both teams display a banner advocating for “peace for all” in a show of solidarity amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
20:57: The players take to the field at the Parc des Princes.
20:55: Pierre Gaillouste will officiate the match, facing heightened scrutiny after recent criticism of officiating from PSG.
20:48: Lionel Messi demonstrates his sharp shooting skills during the warm-up.
20:45: Kylian Mbappé, hailed by Michel Platini as the “heir to Messi and Ronaldo,” is expected to be PSG’s primary attacking threat.
Match Highlights:
8′: Kimpembe makes a crucial tackle to deny Bouanga a clear shot on goal.
7′: Neymar attempts a shot after a swift counter-attack, but his effort sails over the bar.
6′: Saint-Étienne adopts a high defensive line, pressing PSG and attempting to disrupt their build-up play.5′: A defensive error by Kherer nearly gifts Saint-Étienne a scoring opportunity, but Kimpembe intervenes to concede a corner.
3′: PSG regain possession and patiently construct their attack, with Mbappé actively involved in the early stages.
1′: Saint-Étienne creates the frist chance of the match, with Boudebouz threatening Donnarumma’s goal. Marquinhos makes a vital interception to clear the danger.
20:00. Welcome to live coverage of the Ligue 1 clash between PSG and Saint-Étienne! Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00.
20:05. PSG enters this match as heavy favorites, boasting a commanding 37-point lead over their opponents. The parisians currently sit atop the Ligue 1 table with 59 points, while Saint-Étienne languishes in 20th place with only 22 points, narrowly avoiding the bottom spot occupied by Bordeaux.
20:10. Despite the meaningful point difference, saint-Étienne has shown signs of resurgence recently, securing three wins and a draw in their last four league matches. They’ll be hoping to pull off a major upset against the Parisian giants.
20:15. PSG, however, has a formidable past advantage over Saint-Étienne. The Parisians are unbeaten in their last 25 encounters against Les Verts across all competitions, racking up 19 victories and 6 draws. A win tonight would see them equal their longest unbeaten streak against a single opponent – 26 games against Angers, a run that began in December 1976.
20:20. PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has opted for a 4-3-3 formation tonight. Gianluigi Donnarumma starts in goal, shielded by a back four of Kherer, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, and Mendes. The midfield trio consists of Danilo, Wijnaldum, and Gueye, while the attacking trident features the star-studded trio of Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi.
20:25. Saint-Étienne, meanwhile, will be without the services of injured midfielder Wahbi Khazri. Coach Pascal Dupraz has deployed a 3-4-1-2 formation. Bernardoni takes his place between the posts, with Sacko, Mangala, and Nade forming the defensive line. Gourna-Douath, Youssouf, Camara, and Kolodziejczak make up the midfield, while Boudebouz will operate behind the attacking duo of Bouanga and nordin.
20:30. PSG will be looking to bounce back from their 3-1 defeat at Nantes last week. A victory tonight would secure their fifth consecutive win at the parc des Princes.
20:35. The Parisians are dealing with a number of absences. Leandro Paredes, ander Herrera, and Sergio Ramos are all sidelined through injury, while Layvin Kurzawa and Achraf Hakimi are also unavailable. Hakimi is being rested after a recent quadriceps issue.
20:40. Both teams have completed their warm-up routines and are ready for kick-off.
20:45. the first leg encounter between these two sides, which took place on November 28th, saw PSG emerge victorious with a 3-1 scoreline. Marquinhos bagged a brace, while Angel Di maria added the third goal for the parisians.
Welcome back, football fans! We’re just minutes away from kickoff here at the Parc des Princes, where Paris Saint-Germain looks too redeem themselves after a stunning loss to Nantes.
While PSG boasts an impressive 37-point lead in Ligue 1, we can’t discount Saint-Étienne’s recent resurgence. [2] They’ve clawed their way back from the brink of relegation, showing real grit and determination.
They’ll be hungry to exploit any weaknesses in PSG’s defense, particularly with some key players out due to injury.
Let’s see if Pochettino has found the right tactical approach to counter Saint-Étienne’s intense pressing style after their recent struggles.
We know PSG has the firepower to overcome any obstacle with Mbappé, Neymar, and Messi on the pitch, but will they be enough to secure a victory tonight? Only time will tell!
And it’s a beautiful sight to see both teams uniting for peace with their pre-match banner. A reminder that sport truly has the power to transcend political divides.
And keep your eyes peeled for young Mbappé! michel Platini himself has called him the heir to Messi and Ronaldo. That’s high praise indeed! [2]
Buckle up, folks, this is going to be a thrilling encounter!
