Second-tier side Dunkerque will take on PSG for the very first time as the two sides meet for the French Cup semi-final showdown.
Dunkerque have already been deemed as the giant killers this season in the French Cup, having beaten three of Ligue 1 sides, with two of them previously playing in the UEFA Champions League, as they get set to host PSG on Tuesday. The second-division seaside club have managed to ward off challenges from the likes of Auxerre, LOSC Lille and more recently Brest.
The idea of reaching the grand stage of playing in the Stade De France in the final of the French Cup remains a dream that could be well and truly achievable for Dunkurque. However, they now face the big challenge of beating a dominant side in PSG, who are in a relentless run of form.
Luis Enrique remains in a relaxed mood after the excursions at the weekend as his PSG side were very close to wrapping up the Ligue 1 title. The Parisians needed to win their game against Saint-Etienne, while closest rivals Marseille and AS Monaco had to drop points.
PSG thrashed Saint-Etienne with a 6-1 reverse scoreline, while Marseille lost out to Reims. AS Monaco, however, managed to beat OGC Nice, which prevented PSG from clinching the title at the weekend. The Parisians now need only a point to secure the title, something Enrique will want to get done at the weekend and right on time before their UEFA Champions League game which falls next week.
For now, PSG have to switch their focus to another competition, and Enqrique will want to assert his dominance on all fronts. The win over Saint-Etienne extended their domestic unbeaten run to 35 games, and unlike their next opponent Dunkerque, the Parisians made light work of their opponents in the competition so far, with their most recent game seeing them thrash Stade Briochin with a 7-0 reverse scoreline.
Team News & Tactics
Dunkerque
Dunkerque manager Luis Manuel Ferreira De Castro may have had this game on his mind previously, and he could make a few alterations to his lineup to face PSG. Ewen Jaouen will reclaim his place between the sticks for this one, while the Dunkerque defence will consist of Felipe Abner, Vincent Sasso, Opa Sangante, and Alec Georgen.
Sangante, incidentally scored a brace against Brest, although with the Guinea-Bissau international being a defender the burden will not fall on his shoulders to bring some attacking impetus into the side.
In midfield, Dunkerque will have Ugo Raghouber as a lone midfielder at the base, with the setup being more attack-minded with four other players ahead of him. Enzo Bardeli, Naatan Skytta, Yacine Bammou, and Maxence Rivera will feature there, while Gaetan Courtet will lead the line for Dunkerque against PSG on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Jaouen; Abner, Sasso, Sangante, Georgen; Raghouber; Rivera, Bardeli, Skytta, Bammou; Courtet
PSG
Luis Enrique will have the luxury of a deep squad who are mostly fit to play, with Lee Kang-in and third-choice keeper Arnau Tenas the only ones missing. Presnel Kimpembe recently made his return and featured after more than two years, which will be a boost, as this game could have come at a perfect time to add minutes into his legs.
The manager’s decision to keep many players on the bench at the weekend probably showed his need of the hour to keep his main stars as fresh as possible, although they have a big chance to feature against Dunkerque.
For instance, Gianluigi Donnarumma could return in place of Matvey Safonov, while Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Ousmane Dembele could also return. There could be a start for Kimpembe alongside the experienced Marquinhos, while Achraf Hakimi will keep his place at right-back.
Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neces will occupy the other midfield spots alongside Vitinha. Goncalo Ramos could get a run in the team, with the Portuguese striker leading the line for PSG against Dunkerque. Dembele will return to the right-wing slot and Bradley Barcola will feature on the left.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Kimpembe, Mendes; Neves, Ruiz, Vitinha; Dembele, Ramos, Barcola
Key Stats
This is the first-ever meeting between Dunkerque and PSG.
Dunkerque have beaten three Ligue 1 opposition to reach the semi-finals of the French Cup
PSG are unbeaten in 35 games in French competitions.
PSG are on a ten-game winning streak in domestic football.
Player to Watch
Presnel Kimpembe
Embed from Getty Images
Players usually struggle for relevance after coming back from an injury that probably keeps them out for a few months. In Kimbembe’s case, he played his first minutes in over two years against Saint-Etienne and remains in line to start against Dunkerque, which will still be a testing encounter for the defender.
In the time he has been absent, PSG have developed big strength at the back, and there is intense competition for Kimpembe to overcome in his efforts to reclaim a starting spot. For now, he will have the spotlight on him from a PSG perspective, and Luis Enrique will look at his performances and look to add as many minutes as possible in those legs.
Prediction
Dunkerque 0- 4 PSG
Dunkerque will come into this clash with some level of confidence having beaten three different Ligue 1 opposition in the cup before this game. The semi-final will also have some big importance for the second division side, as they will have the golden chance of featuring in the final at Stade De France, although to get to this stage, they must beat PSG.
PSG are coming on the back of a big result against Saint-Etienne, and there is no shortage of confidence in that side. It is probably a matter of how many goals they will score against Dunkerque that will be the question rather than whether they will get a win. The visitors are the overwhelming favourites to get past the second-division side and into the French Cup final.