90min

PSG predicted lineup vs Clermont Foot - Ligue 1

By Toby Cudworth

Mauricio Pochettino could have a rather depleted PSG squad on his hands
Mauricio Pochettino could have a rather depleted PSG squad on his hands / John Berry/Getty Images
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If you were thinking of tuning in to see PSG rip Clermont Foot apart with Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Neymar forming a devastating front three, you may have another thing coming.

Mbappe has been struggling with a calf injury, while Messi and Neymar have both been away on international duty in South America and will be pretty tired upon their arrival back in the French capital.

The same can be said for Angel Di Maria and to make matters worse for Mauricio Pochettino, he is set to be withoutSergio Ramos, Marco Verratti, Colin Dagba, Juan Bernat and Layvin Kurzawa - who are all injured.

That could mean Pochettino has to get creative with his PSG lineup, so here's what it could look like.

PSG predicted lineup vs Clermont Foot - Ligue 1

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Gianluigi Donnarumma
Donnarumma is the new sheriff in goal / Marcio Machado/Getty Images

Gianluigi Donnarumma (GK) - It may not be a particularly busy evening for Donnarumma, regardless of whether half of PSG's superstars are absent.

Achraf Hakimi (RB) - Already off the mark in terms of goalscoring, you do wonder if Hakimi has set himself a goal target given how far forward he gets.

Marquinhos (CB) - Had developed into one of the world's best defensive midfielders but, sadly, duty calls at the back.

Thilo Kehrer (CB) - Is Kehrer ever going to be a permanent fixture in this PSG side? That we don't know, but the fact Pochettino is regularly picking him from the off is a good sign.

Nuno Mendes (LB) - The future is now at PSG following Mendes' arrival before the transfer deadline. What a talent.

2. Midfielders

Georginio Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum could be the most forward thinking of PSG's three-man midfield / Marcio Machado/Getty Images

Idrissa Gueye (CM) - The anchor in defensive midfield, it's Gueye's job to sweep up and allow the fun players to do their thing.

Danilo Pereira (CM) - A switch to a four-man midfield could see Danilo given another chance to impress at the heart of the pitch.

Ander Herrera (CM) - A steady, reliable performer 99 times out of 100, Herrera is just the kind of player you need to get through an injury/international air miles crisis.

Georginio Wijnaldum (AM) - Should be given the licence to roam forward at will, particularly because PSG's frontline could be rather inexperienced.

3. Forwards

Kylian Mbappe
Mbappe will hope to shake off a calf injury / John Berry/Getty Images

Kylian Mbappe (ST) - His inclusion in the squad suggests Mbappe is fit enough to feature, and Pochettino will do all he can to bring the Frenchman in from the start.

Mauro Icardi (ST) - Like Mbappe, Icardi had been a major doubt for this game because of a shoulder injury, but he's made it back into the squad and will likely complete this 4-3-1-2.

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