On 18 September, the Parc des Princes will be the stage where Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Girona will face each other in the opening matchday of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League group stage. This match marks Girona’s historic debut in Europe’s top competition, a significant event for Catalan football, while PSG look to reassert themselves as one of the major title contenders. Both teams arrive with different ambitions, but with the promise of an exciting clash.
Paris Saint-Germain, under Luis Enrique, have had an impeccable start to the Ligue 1 season, winning all their matches and showing great offensive ability. However, this first Champions League match comes with some important absences. Gianluigi Donnarumma will be in charge of defending the goal, although absences such as those of Gonçalo Ramos and Lucas Hernández could affect the team’s performance.
Up front, the explosiveness of Ousmane Dembélé and Bradley Barcola, along with the goalscoring ability of Randal Kolo Muani, provide guarantees that PSG will maintain their offensive level. In midfield, Rúben Neves has established himself as the anchor of the team, complemented by the creativity of Fabián Ruiz and Kang In Lee, who will bring dynamism to the game.
PSG are the clear favourites to take home all three points, but they will have to be alert to the motivation of a Girona side that will play without pressure in their debut.
Possible PSG lineup:
Girona faces this match with the excitement and challenge of making its Champions League debut. The team led by Míchel is coming off a tough defeat in La Liga against Barcelona, but its overall performance at the start of the season has been positive, accumulating seven points in five games. Girona knows that it is facing one of the European giants, but it comes without pressure and with the opportunity to make history.
Up front, Arnaut Danjuma and Bryan Gil will be the main threats to the Parisian defence, while Abel Ruiz will act as a centre forward. In midfield, Oriol Romeu will be key to the team’s balance, accompanied by Iván Martín and Viktor Tsigankov, who will try to create play and stop PSG’s powerful attack.
Girona have nothing to lose, and with the motivation of a debut on the biggest stage in European football, they will look to put up a fight in a match that, for many, is already historic.
Possible Girona line-up:
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