Under-fire PSG manager Luis Enrique will want his team to get going in the UEFA Champions League before it is too late as they travel to face Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday.
There was a lot of optimism in the summer when Red Bull Salzburg, who face PSG this week, chose to go in the direction of appointing former Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders as their new manager. The Dutchman has not had a favourable start to life, as his team languishes in fifth on the Austrian Bundesliga standings, as there’s a long gap with leaders Sturm Graz.
Switching their attention to the Champions League also offers a grim reflection of their performances in Europe. Salzburg are on a six-game losing run at home in the Champions League, as Dinamo Zagreb were the latest side to come here and take the points. Since that game, they did go away and manage to beat Feyenoord, but Bayer Leverkusen handed them a 5-0 defeat that left Salzburg 32nd in the standings.
However, Salzburg still have a chance to finish in the top 24, although the road ahead seems difficult. After take on PSG, Pepijn Lijnders’ men will have a mammoth task of taking something from games against Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in the remaining games, which does not paint a bright picture for their mathematical hopes of qualifying.
PSG have sacked managers for far worse performances in the past than how Luis Enrique has fared so far this season. Should the Parisians fail to qualify for the knockout stages, it could be game over for the Spaniard, who is personally going through his longest winless run in the Champions League.
PSG have not won in the competition since their fortunate victory over Girona on the opening matchday as they get set to lock horns with Red Bull Salzburg. They have since lost to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich while managing only a draw against PSV Eindhoven. This does mark a disastrous spell, as Enrique will want to show a big response when they travel away to Salzburg.
At the moment, with four points on board from five games played, PSG are sitting in the 27th spot, and the immediate target would be to break into the top 24 to give themselves a chance for the knockout stages. The Salzburg game is a must-win for Enrique’s men, as PSG then faces the challenge of Manchester City and Stuttgart in January.
Team News & Tactics
Red Bull Salzburg
The injury list in front of Pepijn Lijnders needs to make for a better reading, as Kamil Piatkowski might have potentially joined eight other first-teamers in the treatment room. The defender missed the game at the weekend with a knock, as a late fitness test will determine if he is fit enough for the PSG game. Lijnders is also missing other defenders like Aleksa Terzic and Leandro Morgalla.
Their goalkeeper Janis Blaswich is also missing with a calf problem, which could see experienced stopper Alexander Schlager deputise once again. There are further absentees in the attacking third and midfield departments, as Karim Konate and Fernando are missing from action, while attacking midfielder Maurits Kjaergaard is facing a significant time out with injury.
Red Bull Salzburg will continue to persist with a 4-3-3 attacking shape against PSG, with Lucas Gourna-Douath, Bobby Clark and Mamady Diambou part of the midfield pack. Up front, Moussa Yeo will lead the line for Salzburg, while Adam Daghim and Oscar Gloukh provide the suppoort from wide areas.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Schlager; Dedic, Piatowski, Baidoo, Mellberg; Clark, Gourna-Douath, Diambou; Daghim, Yeo, Gloukh
Paris Saint-Germain
Unlike his counterpart in the Red Bull Salzburg dugout, PSG manager Luis Enrique has no fresh issues whatsoever, barring the absence of Ousmane Dembele’s suspension for his red card in the Bayern Munich encounter. Lucas Hernandez and Senny Mayulu are the only other absentees because of injuries.
Presnel Kimpembe has regained fitness, although Enrique is unlikely to include him in the starting lineup and probably not even in the matchday squad.
Then there is the issue with Randal Kolo Muani, as he seems completely out of Enrique’s plans, although he could still offer something off the bench as a starting spot seems impossible. Lee Kang-in will take up Dembele’s place on the right wing, with Marco Asensio leading the line, considering Goncalo Ramos started at the weekend.
Bradley Barcola will complete the front three, while Joao Neves could return to the lineup to partner up with Vitinha and Warren Zaire-Emery in that midfield three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Kang-In, Asensio, Barcola
Key Stats
Red Bull Salzburg have lost four of their five Champions League games so far this season.
Red Bull Salzburg have lost each of their last six home games in the Champions League.
PSG have failed to win their last three games across all competitions.
Without a win in four Champions League games, this is Luis Enrique’s longest winless run in the competition.
PSG have won only once in their five UEFA Champions League games this season.
Player to Watch
Bradley Barcola
Embed from Getty Images
The onus might be on Barcola to perform at his best and give his team the impetus in their charge to qualify for the knockout stages. With Ousmane Dembele missing from action for the midweek game, as well as PSG failing to showcase their attacking side of the game, this might be a chance for the winger to shine.
PSG desperately need inspiration in the attack from somewhere, and there’s no better player for them than Barcola. Hence, a good performance here against Red Bull Salzburg from the winger will set the tone for the rest of the players to perform in the two remaining games after that and make that dash to finish as high as possible.
Prediction
Red Bull Salzburg 0-3 PSG
Red Bull Salzburg are not coming into this clash in the best of form nor with all their players, as injuries might have another big say in how this game flows. However, their recent results in the competitions have been abject, and that will be something the opposition will take note of.
PSG are reeling from some of their recent results on all fronts, and there is a big need for a top performance in the Champions League. Without a win in four games, this game might come at a time that could allow Enrique will re-calibrate his charges for a big win and then aim to finish as high as possible in the next two clashes.