Paris Saint-Germain welcome Lorient to the Parc des Princes on Friday evening to kick off the Ligue 1 weekend. Laurent Blanc’s side will look to return to winning ways after last Sunday’s defeat to Girondins de Bordeaux but are without a whole host of players.
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Here is how we expect PSG to line up against Lorient as they look to overtake league leaders Olympique Lyonnais:
GK- Salvatore Sirigu
The Italian goalkeeper will need to do better than he did against Bordeaux, at least when it comes to organising his defenders.
RB- Gregory van der Wiel
Defensively questionable and offensively stunted against Bordeaux, he is fortunate that Serge Aurier is still out of action.
CB- Zoumana Camara
Overwhelmed against Bordeaux after coming on, the veteran stopper will look to impose himself early but may be troubled by Jordan Ayew’s acceleration.
CB- Thiago Silva
Lorient’s attack-confident after beating Evian-will look to expose the cracks between Silva and Camara-a real test for the captain.
LB- Maxwell
Should be a safe pair of hands following Lucas Digne’s hapless display against Bordeaux, will likely be buoyed after having signed a new contract.
CM- Marco Verratti
Appeared weary against Bordeaux, and PSG missed his invention. Ought to be much improved after five days’ rest…Paris will need him on fine form with Yohan Cabaye absent.
CM- Thiago Motta
Another who should be fresher than he was against the Bordelais, having only played an hour of that encounter. Appeared to be affected by young Cedric Yambere’s performance.
CM- Blaise Matuidi
His energy and dynamism was sorely missed against Bordeaux, will likely be chose ahead of the impressive Adrien Rabiot.
FW- Edinson Cavani
Played only 15 minutes against Bordeaux and is another whose return to the starting XI ought to have a big impact on PSG’s cohesion and fluidity
FW- Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Appeared isolated at times last weekend, despite scoring twice, but ought to be much more present at the Parc des Princes. He will be looking to put a controversial spell behind him with a big showing.
FW- Javier Pastore
Encouraging in spells against Bordeaux, expect Pastore to start on the left-unless Laurent Blanc opts for Ezequiel Lavezzi-although he could also slot in as a Number 10 behind Zlatan and Cavani.