Paris Saint-Germain will host RB Leipzig in UEFA Champions League 2020-21 to fancy their chances of qualifying for the knock out stage. RB Leipzig is three points above the French Champions in Group H, featuring Istanbul and United.
Match Timings: Nov 25, 1:30 AM IST
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With the poor show in the first leg encounters, PSG are in trouble in the Champions League, but United’s loss to Istanbul opened the door for PSG to fix their issues and get back into the rhythm. The last season’s runner-up lost to United and Leipzig with the same scoreline 2-1. They edged past Istanbul 2-0 to find the third spot in Group H. PSG have lost four out of their last six games against German opponents, and the previous two defeats came this year against Bayern and Leipzig.
PSG are flying high at the domestic season with 24 points from a possible 33. The Defending Champions are two points ahead of the 2nd placed Lille. The defeat in the last Ligue 1 encounter against Monaco was the big setback to PSG’s eight-matches winning run in France’s top-flight. Kylian MBappe scored twice in the first half to end the first half on 2-0, but Monaco pulled off a comeback in the second half and didn’t give any chance to MBappe to strike. Kevin Volland scored a brace to equalise for the hosts, and Fabregas netted a winner in the 84th minute through a penalty to deliver a loss to Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Kimpembe is already out of the lineups for PSG due to receiving the red card in the last match against Leipzig. Neymar will finally make their return to Champions League after playing 30-minutes against Monaco. Marquinhos and Leandro Paredes are expected to feature in the lineup. Ander Herrera’s availability is in doubt due to suffering an injury. Alessandro Florenzi and Mitchel Bakker might be replaced with Colin Dagba and Layvin Kurzawa.
Meanwhile, Leipzig had the last laugh in the first-leg encounter at home. Forsberg scored a winner in the 57th minute through a penalty sealed three points against PSG. This victory came after a humiliating defeat against United. Marcus Rashford notched up a hattrick to give the English club a 5-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Leipzig occupies the second spot, only behind United in goal difference. On the same night, United will play Istanbul, and if they drop points, the German outfit can reach the top spot. It’s a do-die game for the French club, and they would aim for three points at home. Julian Nagelsmann's side recently played a 1-1 draw to Frankfurt in Bundesliga 2020-21 and failed to break into the top two. Leipzig are sitting at number four, two points behind to season leaders, Bayern.
Dayot Upamecano made his return against Frankfurt, and he will boost Leipzig in Tuesday’s fixture. Willi Orban is also fully fit, and he will be seen in the final XI. Defenders Nordi Mukiele, Lukas Klostermann, and Marcel Halstenberg are injured. Forsberg will start for the Leipzig, and Poulsen will also mark his return in the starting XI. Defeating PSG in Paris is not a cup of tea when their leading players are back in the hut but the German club can back themselves for a draw at least.
Possible Lineups & Current Form
Paris Saint-Germain
Lineup: Navas; Florenzi, Diallo, Marquinhos, Bakker; Pereira, Paredes, Rafinha; Di Maria, Mbappe, Neymar
Champions League form: L W L
RB Leipzig
Lineup: Gulacsi; Orban, Upamecano, Konate; Henrichs, Haidara, Nkunku, Angelino; Sabitzer, Forsberg; Poulsen
Champions League form: W L W
Key Players
Paris Saint-Germain
Kylian MBappe
9 goals in Ligue1 2020-21
Angel di Maria
3 goals in Ligue1 2020-21
RB Leipzig
Angelino
3 goals in Bundesliga 2020-21
Poulsen
3 goals in Bundesliga 2020-21
