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PSG vs Juventus


Paris Saint-Germain will welcome Juventus at Parc Des Princes for the UEFA Champions League opener for 2022/23 on Tuesday night.

Both teams have been dominant in their respective domestic leagues during the past decade, however, they have struggled to make it in the European arena. Juventus reached the finals in 2017 and 2015 but fell short on both occasions. PSG on the other hand lost to Bayern Munich in the showpiece competition in 2020.

Both clubs exited this competition during the round of 16 final season and are hoping to finish one step further. PSG has been strengthened over the summer and currently led by Christophe Galtier are smashing their way through the French top flight. Juventus are, on the other hand has also revamped their squad but they’ve lost their appearance of invincibility that was a part of PSG during Serie A.

The last occasion PSG met Juventus was in 1996’s UEFA Super Cup, with the Bianconeri winning 9-2 winners. Juventus have the advantage historically in the game and haven’t lost in any of their previous eight matches. In actual fact, PSG goes into the match on the back of losing six games against Juventus.

The team from home will however, enter the match as favorite to win. They are not just attractive from the front however, Juventus have also become a away from the team they were in the past. Massimiliano Allegri’s team has fallen short when faced with tough opposition, and nothing has changed in the last season.

The burden will fall for to the Ligue 1 champions to get on the right track to win. If Galtier is the one to lead his fellow Parisians into the promised place remains to be determined. If that’s the scenario, Juventus could be the first domino to fall at the Parc of Princes on Tuesday. This game could turn out to be a test for both teams’ hopes during the tournament.

Team News (PSG)


PSG now have both quality and depth in their roster, and this will give Christophe Galtier options to choose from. The likes of Neymar and Nuno Mendes were rested at the weekend against Nantes, while Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappe were taken off early, probably with Juventus’s visit in mind.

Vitinha’s injury will come as a blow for PSG, and they do well to let him rest and recuperate in the upcoming games. The central midfielder has been excellent since his arrival in the summer and formed a solid understanding with Verratti in midfield. Although Fabian Ruiz has joined, Galtier is unlikely to throw the Spaniard into the firing line. Renato Sanches is likely to partner with Verratti in the middle of the park, despite Vitinha being included in the squad.

Galtier is unlikely to deviate from the 3-4-3 formation that has brought him much success this season. Gianluigi Donnarumma will start in goal behind a back three of Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos and the returning Serio Ramos. Nuno Mendes impressed off the bench and should return to the left-wing back slot with Achraf Hakimi bringing up the other flank.

How well Sanches and Verratti can control the middle of the park could determine how much joy PSG’s full-backs get on the night. Lionel Messi will, in all likelihood, start as the playmaker with Neymar and Mbappe running into channels. The PSG front three have linked up well this season, and a lot of what Juventus can take from the game will depend on whether they can keep the trio quiet.

Team News (Juventus)

Juventus had a rather busy summer transfer window but will be without a few key players who are out injured. Wojciech Szczesny becomes the club’s latest casualty, and despite not being as badly injured as feared, he is unlikely to return to action for around a fortnight.

He joined Federico Chiesa and Paul Pogba, both of whom are some way off returning to action. Former PSG attacker Angel Di Maria moved to Turin this past summer but is himself recovering from an injury. He is understandably left out of the travelling squad as it makes little sense to risk him.

The same cannot be said of two other former PSG men. Adrien Rabiot and Leandro Paredes could both be involved and should be keen to prove a point to their former side. Massimiliano Allegri is likely to set his side up in a 4-3-3- formation that can dovetail into a 4-4-2 or a 4-5-1 if needed. Packing the midfield will be key to cutting off any supply to PSG’s pacy frontline.

With Szczesny out, Mattia Perin will reprise his role in goal. The Italian goalkeeper has impressed when called upon this season, and it augurs well for Massimilaino Allegri. The defensively sound Mattia De Sciglio is likely to start at left-back, with Danilo occupying the other full-back slot.

Manuel Locatelli will be tasked with going toe to toe against Marco Verratti in midfield. While the PSG ace holds the upper hand, Locatelli will do well to channel his performances from Euro 2020. Paredes will also start in the middle of the park alongside Rabiot. The duo are also willing runners and can break once Juventus counters.

Filip Kostic has taken well to life in Turin and should keep his spot on the left with Juan Cuadrado occupying the other flank. Dusan Vlahovic is a shoo-in and will lead the attack on the night. Ramos and PSG’s high line could be put into disarray should Juventus play their cards right. A lot will depend on how Kostic and Vlahovic work together to make impactful runs.

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