Dortmund-PSG: likely lineup with Dembele and Mbappe starting, any doubts for Nuno Mendes?

It was under bright summer sun and temperatures worthy of July that PSG’s players held their final training session late Tuesday on the turf at Signal Iduna Park, ahead of the Champions League semi-final. first match against Dortmund. Smiles and good humor accompanied this final session, which revealed nothing about Luis Enrique’s intentions.

Despite the exceptional nature of the meeting, the Spanish technician did not change his habits and remained true to his customs, without making any arrangements. A big toro at the start, an exercise to keep the ball in a reduced field, then the coach mixes the teams, and then a series of more or less distanced shots in front of the goal, after completing laps, until the finish.

Nuno Mendes, who started the training normally, did not participate in the last exercise. Left to rest against Le Havre last Saturday, the Portuguese defender sat in the center circle for long minutes, watching his teammates chain shots and batter Donnarumma, Navas and Tenas. The left then spoke to the physiotherapist and Patrick Flament, the club doctor, away from the group. Since his return to competition in February, medical staff have been very careful with the injury-prone player.

An attacking trio that could hurt Dortmund

It now remains to be seen whether Nuno Mendes chose to cut his session short to play it safe and whether he feels capable of holding his place in the physically demanding Champions League semi-final first leg. again more against the very restless German forwards. If the Portuguese were unable to play, Lucas Beraldo could take over the left lane. Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos and Lucas Hernandez should complete the Parisian rearguard.

Barring any surprises, which cannot be ruled out in the case of Luis Enrique, the rest of the Paris team have no doubts. The Spanish technician must restore confidence in Barcelona’s winners during the quarter-final comeback at Montjuic (1-4) two weeks ago.

The trio of Dembele, Mbappe and Barcola must be revamped against Dortmund’s weak defense, which lacks speed. In midfield it is also a well-established association, with Vitinha as a defender supported by Fabian Ruiz and Zaire-Emery.