UEFA Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain start their title defence at residence in opposition to Atalanta, in what guarantees to be an intriguing conflict between two of Europe’s most dynamic attacking sides, Softfootball stories.
PSG enter the competitors for a 14th consecutive season, with expectations excessive after lifting the trophy for the primary time final 12 months. The Parisians have made a behavior of beginning strongly in Europe, going unbeaten in 11 of their final 13 opening league section matches.
Having already added the UEFA Tremendous Cup this season, boss Luis Enrique will count on his aspect to breeze into the knockout rounds as soon as once more. His pedigree in Europe backs that up, with a formidable win ratio throughout his UCL managerial profession
Atalanta, in the meantime, arrive with their very own European credentials after successful the UEFA Europa League in 2024. Their league section marketing campaign final time period even noticed them end two factors and 6 spots above PSG earlier than being knocked out within the playoff spherical.
Now below new coach Ivan Jurić, who takes cost of his first Champions League match, La Dea might be out to show they’ll compete with Europe’s best. They journey with confidence too, unbeaten of their final eight group/league section away fixtures .
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This may solely be the second ever assembly between the perimeters, with PSG edging Atalanta in dramatic style within the 2019/20 UCL quarter-finals. The Italians have in any other case loved a strong report in opposition to French opposition , whereas PSG boast only one defeat of their final 12 matches in opposition to Italian golf equipment .
PSG’s Achraf Hakimi loved his most efficient European marketing campaign final season , and has discovered the web in three of the membership’s final 4 UCL matches. Luis Enrique must do with out Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué, each who’re dominated out for a number of weeks.
In the meantime, PSG by way of their official X deal with, posted an unique video documenting their journey to European glory final season, a feat they might be hoping to repeat this season, however first they need to concentrate on their season opener in opposition to Atalanta as they start their title protection quest, watch the video under;
Atalanta midfielder Mario Pašalić is one to observe, having scored the opener within the 2020 quarter-final in opposition to PSG and netting the comeback targets in each of his final two away video games within the competitors. Atalanta are additionally hit by accidents, with Gianluca Scamacca and Éderson dominated out of this recreation.
Potential Beginning Lineups
Paris Saint-Germain doable beginning lineup:
Chevalier; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Mbaye, Ramos, Barcola
Atalanta BC doable beginning lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Maldini; Krstovic
Atalanta confirmed the workforce’s departure by way of the workforce’s official X deal with, to Paris the place they might face the reigning European champions on this 12 months’s season opener, see video under;
Atalanta’s attacking strategy means they’re hardly ever pushovers on the European stage, however PSG’s high quality and depth on the Parc des Princes ought to show decisive of their title protection opener.
Prediction: PSG 3-1 Atalanta
