The lineups are out for Tuesday’s Champions League first knockout round encounter between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona at the Parc des Princes. The big news is that the hosts are still without captain Thiago Silva, who has been replaced in the heart of the defense by 21-year-old Presnel Kimpembe, who has never before played in the Champions League. Talk about being thrown in at the deep end.
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Barcelona lineups: Thiago Silva misses out for PSG
The PSG captain is replaced by Champions League debutant Presnel Kimpembe.
In the absences of defensive midfielders Thiago Motta and Grzegorz Krychowiak, who are suspended and injured respectively, coach Unai Emery has placed Adrien Rabiot and Marco Verratti at the base of a midfield trio spearheaded by Blaise Matuidi. Supporters may well be worried about the protection their young center-back will receive from this playmaking duo.
There are no real surprises in the Barça team, with the injured Aleix Vidal replaced by Sergi Roberto on the right side of defence, and Samuel Umtiti starting alongside Gerard Piqué while Javier Mascherano remains on the treatment table. André Gomes is preferred to Ivan Rakitić and Rafinha in midfield, while Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and Neymar form their famous attacking trident.
Barcelona starting lineup (4-3-3): Marc-André ter Stegen; Jordi Alba, Samuel Umtiti, Gerard Piqué, Sergi Roberto; André Gomes, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Inesta; Neymar, Luis Suárez, Lionel Messi.
Paris Saint-Germain starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Kevin Trapp; Layvin Kurzawa, Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Thomas Meunier; Adrien Rabiot, Marco Verratti; Julian Draxler, Blaise Matuidi, Ángel Di María; Edinson Cavani.
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