PSG’s schedule accelerates in January and the 16th final of the Coupe de France against Paris FC this Monday evening (9:10 p.m.) should encourage Luis Enrique to reshape his team. Placed between the Champions Trophy played last Thursday in Kuwait against OM and the arrival of Lille next Friday in Ligue 1, the reception of the Parisian neighbor will allow certain understudies to accumulate playing time.
In defense, in particular, Lucas Beraldo and Illia Zabarnyi could form the central hinge in place of the usual duo composed of Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. In the corridors, the Spanish coach has few solutions at hand, Achraf Hakimi still being at the CAN and Lucas Hernandez ill.
The usual starters Warren Zaire-Emery and Nuno Mendes should therefore continue, as should Lucas Chevalier in goal. Aligned during the previous round against Vendée Fontenay, Renato Marin could this time give way to the French goalkeeper who put in a solid performance against OM.
In midfield, the absences of Kang-in Lee and Quentin Ndjantou also deprive Luis Enrique of more turnover. Starting last week against the PFC on the left wing of the attack, Senny Mayulu should find his place in the midfield alongside Vitinha while the last place will be played out between João Neves and Fabian Ruiz.
Up front, Gonçalo Ramos should see himself given a starting place after his decisive entry into play during the Champions Trophy. Cited as an example by Luis Enrique, the Portuguese is likely to start up front in place of Ousmane Dembélé. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola, who has not yet started a meeting in 2026, could support him.
As for Paris FC, the most important match of the week will certainly be the trip to Nantes (16th), back to two points in the standings, on Sunday January 18. But after having held up well last Sunday (2-1), the promoted player will have to go up a notch if he really wants to worry PSG during this 2nd derby in 8 days.
The return of Kebbal
“We are going to try to play a little more, to have more control,” announces coach Stéphane Gilli. The L1 match was encouraging. A qualification would be good before the two important Championship matches in Nantes (January 18) and the reception at Angers (25). We hope to play a bad trick on PSG but we will have to be fairer. I’m hopeful that I’ll do something.”
To do this, he should continue a 5-4-1 system which transforms into 3-4-3 with the ball. For this Cup match, Obed Nkambadio will be in goal. The conformation that Kevin Trapp will be the starter in L1 during the 2nd part of the season.
Paris FC should line up five defenders like last Sunday with Nhoa Sangui, Moustapha Mbow, Timothée Kolodziejczak, Otavio and Thibault De Smet. In the middle, Maxime Lopez and Adama Camara (or Vincent Marchetti) will be in the middle with Jonathan Ikoné (or Mathieu Cafaro) and Alimami Gory on the sides. Willem Geubbels will be alone in front.
The little surprise could be the presence of Ilan Kebbal. After the elimination with Algeria at the CAN on Saturday against Nigeria (2-0), the top scorer of Paris FC (6 goals, 4 assists) returned this Sunday evening. Little used by his coach (11 minutes during the 3rd match), he is frustrated but not tired. He could thus be on the bench against PSG.
Also eliminated, Hamari Traoré (Mali) and Jean-Philippe Krasso (Ivory Coast) have not yet returned. Finally, Samir Chergui is convalescing after being injured during the 2nd match with Algeria.
For the rest, the first recruit of the transfer window, the Italian international hopeful Luca Koleosho, will be in the group. Pierre Lees-Melou will only return in 6 to 8 weeks.
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