The defending Ligue 1 champions PSG start their 2020-21 campaign with an opening clash against Lens on Thursday evening.
Team Preview
Paris Saint-Germain are back to their domestic season after the hectic schedule at Champions League. They start their title defense on Tuesday evening against Lens at Stade Bollaert-Delelis. PSG would aim to start their new season on a happy note after losing the Champions League final against Bayern Munich last month. Two and half weeks have been passed to the last game and the French Champions are ready to start Ligue 1 2020-21. Tuchel’s side is also worried about the increasing COVID-19 cases in the camp as their main striker Kylian Mbappe tested positive for the virus and he is going to miss the next four games. He could line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. PSG has a tight schedule as they have to play two matches in three days, the next game against Lorient.
Meanwhile, Lens earned the promotion from the second tier but their start was not as per their recent success as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Nice in their opening game of the season. Franck Haise’s side strike in the 11th minute, courtesy of Kakuta’s goal through a penalty but Gouiri scored the equalizer for Nice to end the first half on 1-1. In the second half, Nice outperformed Lens and netted the 2nd goal in the 75th minute, thanks to Amine Gouiri who completed a brace. Lens would try to put a decent performance against a champion side who will miss some key players on Thursday.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Lens
Lineup: Leca; Gradit, Bade, Medina; Michelin, Cahuzac, Doucoure, Boura; Kakuta; Sotoca, Ganago
Ligue 1 form: L
Paris Saint-Germain
Lineup: Rico; Kehrer, Kimpembe, Diallo; Dagba, Herrera, Gueye, Bernat; Draxler; Sarabia; Choupo-Moting
Current Form: W W W W L
Key Players
Lens
Gael Kakuta
Goal on his debut against Nice
Florian Sotoca
8 goals in Ligue-2 2019-20
PSG
Pablo Sarabia
4 goals in Ligue 1 2019-20
Choupo-Moting
3 goals in Ligue 1 2019-20