Champions League 2015/16 profiles: PSG
Published:
PSG gave a good account of themselves in the Champions League last season, so odds of 16/1 with Coral for them to win the tournament this time around can be considered respectable.
Domestic league: Ligue 1
How they qualified: PSG won their league at a canter last season, finishing eight points clear of Lyon.
Best Champions League era performance: Last season was arguably the closest they came to winning the tournament and the Parisians had a couple of magnificent matches. Beating Barcelona 3-2 in their home group game was an awesome achievement, though they trumped this in the last 16 with a terrific 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge to beat Chelsea on away goals.
Coach: Manchester United fans will no doubt recognise the familiar form of Laurent Blanc roving the touchline, with as much intensity as he used to marshal their rearguard. Under his command, PSG have won three consecutive league titles, two league cups and a the country’s national cup. Only one thing remains.
Ins and outs: Yohan Cabaye was the only departure of note, with the French midfielder joining Crsytal Palace, though PSG splashed out on Angel Di Maria from Manchester United, talented left back Layvin Kuzawa from Monaco and Benjamin Stambouli from Spurs, among others.
Familiar faces: As well as Di Maria and Stambouli, fans will more likely remember the days of defender David Luiz at Chelsea, whose work ethic and good nature was often a breath of fresh air for the Premier League.
Key players: Again, Di Maria is worth a mention, though you cannot look past Zlatan Ibrahimovic for this tag. The Swedish superstar is ‘Mr PSG’, while strike partner Edinson Cavani is also important.
Ones to watch: Italian central midfielder, Marco Veratti, labelled as the heir to Andrea Pirlo’s throne, has long been threatening to fulfill his potential and this could well be the year. The same applies to Lucas Moura.
Emerging talent: Striker Jean-Kevin Augustin at only 18, turned heads in pre-season and is considered to be a sensation. He could well be given a chance when PSG are chasing a match, and will have the element of surprise for opposition.
CL group and fixtures:
Group A
V Malmo (Home), September 15th
V Shakhtar Donetsk (Away), September 30th
V Real Madrid (Home), October 21st
V Real Madrid (Away), November 3rd
V Malmo (Away), November 25th
V Shakhtar Donetsk (Home), December 8th
