Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs. Girona – Prediction, team news, lineups

Paris Saint Germain start their 2024-25 Champions League Campaign against tournament debutants The old town of Girona in the Parc des Princes on Wednesday evening.

While PSG have won the Ligue 1 title six times in the last seven seasons, their Spanish opponents surprised many by finishing third in La Liga the previous season.

Game Preview

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Paris Saint-Germain are the only Ligue 1 team to boast a 100 percent winning streak after four games, having followed up victories over Le Harve, Montpellier and Lille with a 3-1 comeback home victory over Brest last Saturday.

Luis EnriqueThe team of 's fell behind after just under half an hour when Romain Del Castillo converted from the penalty spot, but Les Parisians defended bravely with Fabian Ruiz scored between two goals from Ousmane Dembele to ensure they come home with the highest score.

PSG already boast an impressive +13 goal difference in the French top flight and are understandably in high spirits after a positive start to the new season. The club is now preparing for a busy schedule of six games in 19 days in all competitions, including the first two Champions League games against Girona and Arsenal.

The Champions League has been the holy grail for PSG's Qatari owners since they took the reins in 2011, but the most prestigious trophy in European club football has eluded them so far – defeat in the 2019-20 final to Bayern Munich was the only time they have come as close to triumph as ever.

PSG will be looking to make a strong start to the newly expanded Champions League and will be confident of success against Girona, with FC Barcelona heading into Wednesday's match having lost just one of their last 36 home games in the competition since the start of the 2012/13 season – a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in October 2020.

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After a historic 2023–24 La Liga season, Girona have since made a mixed start to the new campaign, picking up seven points after winning two, drawing one and losing two in their first five games.

The Blanquivermells recovered from a slow start to beat both Osasuna and Sevilla by an aggregate score of 6-0. However, they were unable to pick up where they left off after the international break as they were beaten 4-1 by league leaders and Catalan rivals Barcelona on Sunday.

Goals from Lamine Jamal (2) Daniela Olmo And Pedri brought an unruly Barca team firmly under control at the Estadi Montilivi before the experienced striker Christian Stuani scored the consolation goal 10 minutes before the end.

After the heaviest home defeat since he took office as head coach in 2021, Michel will ensure that his players do not worry about such a result and can motivate themselves for Girona's first Champions League game on Wednesday.

Although Girona are considered one of the underdogs in the expanded Champions League this season, they can take inspiration from the fact that the last three Spanish debutants in the competition have made it to the knockout stages (Villarreal 2005-2006, Sevilla 2007-2008 and Malaga 2012-2013).

Paris Saint-Germain form (All competitions):

Girona form (All competitions):

Team News

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PSG trio Goncalo Ramos (Ankle), Presnel Kimpembe (Achilles) and Lucas Hernandez (ACL) are all still long-term injured, while Warren Zaire-Emery (calf) and Vitinha (ankles) – both of whom were missing in the win against Brest – are questionable and will be examined before kick-off.

Lee Kang-inFabian Ruiz and Joao Neves are all expected to keep their places in central midfield, while Enrique may consider bringing back the centre-back duo Marquinhos And William Pacho at the expense of Milan Skriniar And Lucas Beraldo.

Bradley Barcola is PSG’s top scorer this season with four goals in as many games, and he could partner with Dembele and either Marco Asensio or Randal Kolo Muani in attack.

As for Girona, Ricard Artero (ankle) and Jasin (shoulder) remain out of action due to injury, while Yangel Herrera missed the defeat against Barcelona due to adductor problems and his participation in Wednesday's game is questionable.

Oriol Romeu was not eligible to play in the last match against his home club Barca, but is available for the match against PSG and will probably start in a three-man midfield alongside Ivan Martin and 19 years old John Soliswith Donny van de Beek once again provided a replacement on the bench.

Abel Ruiz will continue to act as a centre-forward, ahead of the other new signing Bojan Miovski and Stuani, while Portugal, Bryan Gil, Viktor Zygankov And Arnaut Danjuma could all fight for starting positions on the flanks.

Possible starting eleven of Paris Saint-Germain:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Lee, Ruiz, Neves; Dembele, Kolo Muani, Barcola

Possible starting eleven for Girona:
Gazzaniga; Frances, Lopez, Blind, Gutierrez; Martin, Romeu, Solis; Tsygankov, Ruiz, Danjuma

We think: Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Girona

Four French teams have already tried but failed to overcome the goal-hungry PSG side, who have made a strong start to the new season and are clear favourites to score maximum points on Wednesday.

Both teams come into this competition with different records in the domestic league. Taking this into account – and the attacking quality that PSG possess – we are betting on the hosts to score more points than their opponents and be on their way to a comfortable win.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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