We can always expect a surprise with Luis Enrique. There was no shortage of that. The Spanish coach decided this Wednesday to leave Lucas Hernandez on the bench for the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Sociedad. It was the young Brazilian Lucas Beraldo, although not always very serene and even less so in the left lane, who was preferred. Marquinhos and Danilo Pereira will form the hinge, while Achraf Hakimi will start on the right.
The choices of the former FC Barcelona coach in midfield were also expected, while the trios used have constantly changed during the last Parisian outings. Wednesday at the Parc, Warren Zaire-Emery, Fabian Ruiz in front of the defense, and Vitinha will start. The same trio – the same eleven in fact – as against Brest in the Coupe de France last week.
Up front, Kylian Mbappé’s tenure was not in question, despite the big tackle he suffered against the Breton club, which caused him to be spared against Lille on Saturday. The two expected comets will liven up the corridors: Ousmane Dembélé on the right, Bradley Barcola on the left. On the Spanish side, leader Mikel Oyarzabal, very uncertain in recent hours, is not even on the match sheet. André Silva is aligned up front.
The PSG eleven : Donnarumma – Hakimi, Marquinhos (cap.), Danilo Pereira, Beraldo – Zaire-Emery, Ruiz, Vitinha – Dembélé, Mbappé, Barcola.
The Real Sociedad eleven : Remiro – Traoré, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Galán – Mendez, Zubimendi, Merino (cap.) – Kubo, André Silva, Barrenetxea.