Record-time Serie A champions Juventus make an exciting journey to Paris to meet PSG in their mouth-watering Champions League Group H fixture. The Italians’ 11th successive appearance in the group stage of Europe’s most prestigious competition promises some fireworks.
Drawn together with Benfica, PSG, and Hapoel Be’er Sheva in a highly-competitive Group H, Juventus are second-favorites to make it through the group phase. However, based on their disappointing start to the season, this section won’t be a walk in the park for Massimiliano Allegri’s underperforming troops.
The Turin side’s recent five-match domestic form highlights the inconsistent nature of their performances right now (W2, D3). Therefore they might see the return of Champions League action as a welcome distraction. The Juventus powerbrokers are under heavy pressure to relieve Allegri of his duties following a dismal Serie A start.
As for PSG, a raft of high-profile summer signings could have laid the foundation for elusive European success. Tipped to become the most successful side in Ligue 1 history with a record-breaking 11th title come June 2023, Les Parisiens would undoubtedly trade another domestic trophy for a taste of Champions League glory.
But with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar enjoying the most prolific spell of their formidable attacking partnership, this season could be the one to define PSG’s continental legacy.
With no further ado, let’s skip to the match preview.
PSG vs Juventus Preview
PSG
Inspired by the all-star attacking trio’s phenomenal start to the new Ligue 1 campaign, PSG’s title defence has been off to a flying start. Except for a 1-1 home draw with Monaco last weekend, Galtier’s men have won all five remaining league matches, netting 3+ goals in each victory. After setting the tone for another domestic success, Les Parisiens can now switch to Champions League mode.
Seeking their first-ever title in Europe’s elite club competition, PSG head into proceedings on the back of 29 unbeaten games in their last 30 in the Champions League group stages at home (W24, D5). Then it comes as no big surprise the French heavyweights have progressed into the competition’s knock-out rounds in all ten previous attempts.
After scoring a match-winning brace in a 3-0 thumping of Nantes at the weekend, Mbappe will be out to reach an unprecedented feat in his illustrious career. The 23-year-old forward has found the net in his last four Champions League appearances and could get on the scoresheet five times in a row for the first time. Not the best piece of news if you’re a Juventus fan.
Juventus
Despite hitting the net from their solitary shot on target, Juventus held Fiorentina to a 1-1 away draw on Saturday. Allegri’s men are now unbeaten in all five Serie A outings this season (W2, D3), but their performances have flattered to deceive. With Bianconeri supporters increasing their prayer for the under-fire manager’s sack in volume, Tuesday’s match-up could determine the Italian’s fate.
Though this could sound a bit bizarre, the upcoming trip to Paris could offer Allegri a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. Indeed, Juventus have not lost any of their eight all-time meetings with PSG in major European competitions (W6, D2), including victories in their last six UEFA-sanctioned fixtures. Yet a lack of scoring prowess might spell trouble for the Italian powerhouse here.
Dusan Vlahovic has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise abysmal Serie A start for Juventus. The Serbian striker has notched up four league goals thus far, including two superb free-kicks against Roma and Spezia. He is now looking to transfer his sublime domestic form to European action and spearhead his team’s charge at the Parc des Princes.
Team News
Vitinha picked up an injury against Nantes and will be out of contention for the matchday squad. In addition to the Portuguese midfielder, PSG boss Galtier cannot be able to call upon the services of forgotten man Mauro Icardi, who’s yet to overcome his fitness issues.
In the meantime, Juventus will be without several significant first-team stars for this trip. Paul Pogba, Adrien Rabiot, Federico Chiesa, and Wojciech Szczesny are all out, while ex-PSG star Angel Di Maria may recover in time to face his former employers.
PSG vs Juventus Potential Line-ups
Paris Saint-Germain (3-4-3): Keylor Navas; Sergio Ramos, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe; Achraf Hakimi, Renato Sanches, Marco Verratti, Juan Bernat; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar.
Juventus (4-3-3): Mattia Perin; Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci, Gleison Bremer, Alex Sandro; Manuel Locatelli, Leandro Paredes, Weston McKennie; Angel Di Maria, Filip Kostic, Dusan Vlahovic.