Paris Saint-Germain swap one fashion capital for another as they travel to AC Milan’s San Siro in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Luis Enrique defended his use of a top-heavy 4-2-4 system after a 4-1 spanking dished out by Newcastle United on the system’s debut last month. However, the French champions have stuck with the shape and earned five consecutive victories since, racking up 15 goals along the way.
Here’s the XI that Enrique may deploy in a formation that he is intent on mastering.
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma – While he doesn’t need his mum to wave around his ID card anymore – a frequent occurrence during his brief days as a youth-team player – Donnarumma looks and seems a lot older than 24.
RB: Achraf Hakimi – Only his firm friend Kylian Mbappe has directly contributed to more PSG goals this season than Hakimi.
CB: Marquinhos – The ever-present Brazilian racked up his 300th victory in his 419th appearance in a PSG shirt on Friday night.
CB: Milan Skriniar – A meeting with Milan will always be important for a former Inter centre-back. Skriniar only lost four of his 16 derbies.
LB: Lucas Hernandez – If Theo can return to fitness for Milan, Hernandez will go up against his brother on Tuesday. Lucas won the only other competitive meeting between the siblings a fortnight ago.
CM: Warren Zaire-Emery – The prodigious teenager is not even 18 but leads the Champions League for assists this season with three.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – Enrique’s porous 4-2-4 system demands a lot of Ugarte defensively, especially with Zaire-Emery buzzing forward at every given opportunity.
RW: Ousmane Dembele – “I arrive in front of my opponent and even me, I do not know what I will do until the last, last moment,” Dembele once remarked. That explains a lot.
ST: Goncalo Ramos – Locked in a battle with Randal Kolo Muani for a starting berth, Ramos could be given the nod on Tuesday.
ST: Kylian Mbappe – Despite no pre-season with PSG’s first team while contract negotiations dragged on, Mbappe is ticking along at one goal per game. Not too shabby for someone shaking off the rust.
LW: Lee Kang-in – Lauded as a “complete player” – if a little diminutive – by Enrique after a star showing against Montpellier on Friday, Lee should maintain his starting berth.
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