PSG: Messi, Ekitike… with which team against Angers?

While the reception the Parc des Princes will reserve for him is sure to spark pre-match debate, Lionel Messi is set to celebrate his first stay of the year this Wednesday night against Angers as part of Ligue 1 Day 18. The recent world champion is back to the capital from last week, is about to be launched by Christophe Galtier against the red lantern. To support him ahead, Hugo Ekitike will serve his fourth consecutive term for the first time since joining PSG. The former Remois still has two goals scored in his last two matches (Lens, Chateauroux).

As a playmaker, Neymar is applying after being retained in the French Cup on Friday to undergo treatment for a right ankle sprain during the World Cup with Brazil. The staff is closely monitoring his well-being and can rely on Carlos Soler to replace him if necessary.

In midfield, just 16-year-old Warren Zaire-Emery impressed Castelroussin, but PSG were able to find a more experienced midfielder on Wednesday night with the return of Vitinha-linked Fabian Ruiz and Danilo Pereira. Nordi Mukiele, who ended up with a pinched left knee in the last training session, should continue to play right side in the absence of Ashraf Hakimi, with Juan Bernat on the left and the Ramos-Marquinhos pair in the center loop.

Marco Verratti felt pain in his quadriceps during practice on Tuesday morning and should have lost. Italian added to absent list (Hakimi, Mbappe, Kimpembe, Sanchez and Mendez).

Likely PSG squad

Donnarumma – Mukiele, Ramos, Marquinhos (cap.), Bernat – Ruiz, Danilo, Vitinha – Neymar (or Soler) – Ekitike, Messi