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hansi flick
hansi flick
It doesn’t get any bigger than this, when it comes to early season Champions League games. First place Paris Saint-Germain hosts second place FC Barcelona on Tuesday night, with both sides currently in top form. Hansi Flick has guided Barcelona to a perfect nine wins in nine La Liga fixtures this season, tying Real Madrid’s record, set in 1961-62 and then matched in 1968-69. PSG had a massive road triumph at Manchester City last week, convincingly winning a UCL fixture that many dubbed “El Corruptico” or “El Cheatico,” for obvious reasons.
UEFA Champions League Matchday 3 of 8
paris-saint-germain
Kickoff: Tues Oct 20, 8pm
Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris, France
Preview Material for Both Sides: Team News Predicted Starting XIs
UCL Standing, Form: FC Barcelona 2nd, 6 pts WW Paris Saint-Germain 1st, 6 pts, WW
Result Probability, According to Google: FC Barcelona win 39% Draw 22% Paris Saint-Germain win 22%
psg-paris-st-germain
So ahead of this clash, let’s look at the potential starting XIs for both sides. This is a match that is so big, we need two articles to preview it.
The main storyline here concerns Barca, and their injury crisis at right back. The only two players who have assumed that position so far this season, Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia, both got injured in the win over Real Betis on the weekend.
So how will Hansi Flick resolve this? Most likely he will have to shift one of the two main contributors at left back, Joao Cancelo or Xavi Espart, into the role.
joao cancelo
joao cancelo
He can’t really shift one of the central defenders on the squad over, as his depth at that position is also depleted. Of course, in an emergency situation, the Blaugranes do have midfielders that can play there too.
Predicted XIs for Both Sides
Barcelona
Joan Garcia; Joao Cancelo, Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart; Pedri, Rodri; Lamin Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Anthony Gordon; Raphinha
ousmane dembele
ousmane dembele
PSG
Matvei Safonov; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor ofThe Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.