PSG vs Monaco – News and Probable Lineups

Paris Saint-Germain has the chance to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League for the 14th consecutive year if they either win or draw against Mônaco in the second leg of their playoff on Wednesday at Parc des Princes.

In the first leg of this encounter, the holders of the title rallied from behind to secure a 3-2 victory over Les Monegasques.

Match overview

The initial 20 minutes in the Principality were quite challenging for Les Parisiens, yet they deserve commendation for their resilience and ability to bounce back.

This marked the first occasion in this century where they managed to win a Champions League knockout match after trailing by two goals.

Under the guidance of Luis Enrique, the team has celebrated success in four consecutive knockout fixtures in this competition, including their last two on home ground.

With a win on Wednesday, the French club could emerge victorious in seven out of their last eight two-legged encounters in the Champions League, having won three of their last four second-leg matches in the tournament.

They approach this fixture having remained unbeaten in eight of their last nine competitive games at Parc des Princes, winning their most recent two matches in Paris by a total score of 8-0.

PSG has not lost to the Principality Club in their last five meetings in the French capital and remains unbeaten in a knockout match against them in this century.

Mônaco enters the second leg in a familiar position, needing a victory to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

This team has been ousted in their last three two-legged ties in the competition and last reached the last 16 when a young Kylian Mbappe helped them advance to the semi-finals in the 2016-17 season.

Nonetheless, Sebastien Pocognoli’s squad has won two of their last three matches against domestic rivals, pulling off a comeback from two goals down to beat Lens 3-2 on Saturday, allowing PSG to recapture first place in Ligue 1.

The last time they won a two-legged tie after losing the first match was in the round of 16 of this tournament in 2017, when they overturned a 5-3 deficit against Manchester City to win the return match 3-1 and progress on away goals.

Only one of their last five competitive outings away from the Principality resulted in victory for Mônaco, who has conceded a combined total of 12 goals in four Champions League matches on the road this season.

It has been almost ten years since this team last secured a victory against Les Parisiens at Parc des Princes, with a 2-0 win in a Ligue 1 match back in March 2016.

Team News

PSG may be without Ousmane Dembele and Senny Mayulu on Wednesday due to calf strains, while Fabian Ruiz is dealing with knee discomfort.

Quentin Ndjantou Mbitcha is also likely to miss this match due to a hamstring injury, and Matvey Safonov appears to have become Enrique’s preferred goalkeeper, having replaced Lucas Chevalier in their last six competitive games.

Desire Doue scored twice in the first leg, with Achraf Hakimi netting one goal for the reigning champions.

Mônaco is set to be without Paul Pogba, Mohammed Salisu, Takumi Minamino, and Lukas Hradecky, all out due to knee injuries. Eric Dier and Christian Mawissa are doubtful because of hamstring issues.

A calf injury might prevent Kassoum Ouattara from participating this week, while Maghnes Akliouche and Krepin Diatta are questionable with a hip issue and a knock, respectively. Aleksandr Golovin is suspended.

Folarin Balogun gave Les Monegasques a 2-0 lead with two goals in the first leg last week, and the American also scored in their victory over Lens on Saturday, supported by goals from Denis Zakaria and Ansu Fati that completed the comeback.

Paris Saint-Germain probable starting XI:

Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia

Mônaco probable starting XI:

Kohn; Vanderson, Teze, Kehrer, Henrique; Camara, Zakaria; Coulibaly, Fati, Adingra; Balogun

While Mônaco put up a strong fight in the first leg, they may not possess the depth to pose a real threat to an experienced side like PSG, who consistently manage to prevail in critical matches.