Paris Saint-Germain would be looking to get their European campaign back on track when they travel to Zagreb this Wednesday, to take on the Croatian champions in the Champions League
The Ile giants are in fine form at the moment when it comes to domestic matters. The 1-0 win over Stade de Reims at the weekend was PSG’s fifth of the season, which also sent them to the top of the table.
However, the scenario is a little different when it comes to Europe. Following an impressive start to the Champions League, the cash-laden club from Paris was brought down to earth by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186, in the previous game of the competition. The 1-0 defeat at the
hands of the Portuguese giants was PSG’s first of the season and coach, Carlo Ancelotti, would be hoping to avoid any such repetition this time around.
Carlo Ancelotti has a lot of issues to address to ahead of the crunch Champions League game and is facing a number of injury problems. Several first-team players are currently on the sidelines and Paris Saint-Germain will have to utilise their bench strength
for the game against Dinamo Zagreb.
It will be the first competitive match between Dinamo Zagreb and Paris Saint-Germain. However, the hosts have faced French opposition on six occasions in Europe, winning twice and losing out in four of those games.
Despite all their domestic dominance, the Croatian outfit is yet to make a mark in the Champions League and the match against the cash-laden club from Paris is a chance for them to show the world what they are capable of.
Team News
Dinamo Zagreb
Unlike PSG, Dinamo Zagreb have a full fledge squad for the game against Les Parisiens. With no injury or suspension worries, the Croatian champions would be looking to pick up their first point of this year’s Champions League.
And after consecutive defeats at the hands of Porto and Dynamo Kiev respectively, the hosts would be hoping for a positive result this time around.
Paris Saint-Germain
On the other hand, Paris Saint-Germain are without several first-team players. Clement Chantome has failed to return to full fitness in time for the Wednesday’s game and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Motta-c34897 is still on the sidelines due to a long-term injury.
In addition to that, Nene has been ruled out up to two weeks after fracturing his cheekbone during the 1-0 victory over Reims at the weekend, which means http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Javier-Pastore-c18082 will start the match in a more attacking midfield role.
Probable Line-ups
Dinamo Zagreb
Kelava, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sammir-c32366, Kovacic, Cop, Beqiraj
Paris Saint-Germain
Sirigu, Jallet, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Maxwell-c25051, Verratti, Matuidi, Sissoko, Pastore, Menez, Ibrahimovic
Players to watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Campos-c8299 – Dinamo Zagreb
The 25-year-old has been the most consistent player for the hosts over the years, and with 41 domestic goals to his name, the midfielder is set to cause Paris Saint-Germain all kinds of trouble on the pitch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zlatan-Ibrahimovic-c38029 – Paris Saint-Germain
The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sweden-c3015 international has been a phenomenal player for the Ile giants since moving to Parc des Princes this summer. And Dinamo Zagreb need to stop the 31-year-old from finding the back of the net if they want to achieve something out of Wednesday’s game.
Prediction
Dinamo Zagreb 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain
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