PSG-Lorient is a match from the first day of Ligue 1 and is played Saturday at 9pm: stats, probable formations, predictions.
Psg’s 2023-24 season begins under the banner of questions. The first undoubtedly concerns its strongest and most representative player, Kylian Mbappé, who is now something of a separatist after saying no to the contract renewal submitted to him by the Parisian club. A rift that is difficult to heal and could have major repercussions on the departure of the reigning French champions.
The feeling, beyond the Mbappé issue, is that chaos reigns in the Psg household at the moment. According to rumors coming out of Spain, even Luis Enrique himself has become impatient, to the point of even thinking about resigning. The alarm has apparently abated, but the transalpine adventure of the former Spain coach – Psg’s fifth coach since 2018 – has certainly not started under the best auspices. In the preseason friendlies, in fact, Hakimi and his teammates have not impressed, losing to Cerezo Osaka and Inter Milan and drawing 0-0 against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr. In addition to Mbappé, who remains on the market-the striker turned down a move to Saudi Arabia-by the end of the month, Neymar, another who has Paris seems to have had his day, could also leave. The club, meanwhile, has taken precautions: in the last few days two pretty good reinforcements have arrived in the form of former Barcelona man Dembélé and striker Gonçalo Ramos, bought from Benfica.
Few certainties for Luis Enrique
It is not a foregone conclusion, however, that the two will take the field as early as in the Ligue 1 opener against Lorient, as they have just been made official.
Formose Mendy
Mbappé or no Mbappé, Luis Enrique’s test will be the Champions League, as was the case with his predecessors. Winning the league alone, in fact, can no longer suffice. The Spaniard, however, will have to convince at home as well and improve on the score of his predecessor Galtier, who last year lost no less than 7 out of 38 games, far too many considering the value of the squad. No jokes, then, against Les Merlus, coached again by that Regis Le Bris who enabled them to achieve a remarkable 10th place last season. It will not be automatic to repeat, especially after the departures of talented midfielder Le Fée and striker Moffi, who finished at Rennes and Nice.
The Prediction
In spite of Mbappé’s absence, Psg remains far superior to Lorient and should be able to avenge the defeat, also quite heavy, suffered last April precisely at the Parc des Princes. Victory for the Parisians does not seem in question, but as they are still in the run-in phase, it is highly likely that they will concede at least one goal.
The probable lineups of PSG-Lorient
- PSG (4-3-3): Donnaruma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez; Fabian Ruiz, Zaïre-Emery, Vitinha; Asensio, Ekitiké, Neymar.
- LORIENT(4-5-1): Mvogo; Kalulu, Meïté, Laporte, Talbi; Le Goff, Makengo, Abergel, Faivre, Le Bris; Dieng.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
