Paris Saint-Germain look to take another step towards a first Champions League title as they visit Arsenal in the semi-final first leg tonight, and manager Luis Enrique has a fully fit squad to choose from.
PSG were able to rest key players last time out against Nice and are not currently held back by any injuries or suspensions, leaving Enrique with a blank canvas to design the strongest possible squad for the job.
Despite having a grand tool-kit at his disposal, Enrique is not one to stray from ol’ reliable - he is nothing if not predictable.
He made just two changes to his squad between the first and second leg of the quarter-final tie against Aston Villa, one of which was prompted by Marquinhos’ suspension.
The other change followed what is comfortably the most pressing selection quandary in Enrique’s squad: Who out of Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola gets the nod at left wing?
Barcola took up that mantle in the second leg of the quarter final, his pace favoured as a method for undoing a deep-sitting Villa side. But facing Arsenal, the tricky dribbler Doue may be more effective. He scored a stunning goal in the first leg against the Villans, cutting in off the flank and curling a shot well beyond Emi Martinez.
Barcola made way for Doue in the only PSG substitution in the second leg.
The 19-year-old will have his work cut out for him facing the on-form Jurrien Timber, but is sufficiently clinical to punish even the slightest lapse in concentration. Lining up alongside prolific pairing Ousmane Dembele and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, the three make a deadly combination.
The lack of height across PSG’s back line may pose an issue, as Pacho is the tallest regular starter at 6’2”. As Arsenal rank among Europe’s most threatening teams from set-pieces, aerial duels will prove key, and Gianluigi Donnarumma will be under pressure to exact a ground stop in his penalty area.
Predicted PSG XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Mendes, Pacho, Marquinhos, Hakimi; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Tuesday 8pm GMT, Amazon Prime
Venue: Emirates Stadium
Referee: Slavko Vincic
Injured: N/A
Suspended: N/A
