Preview for PSG v Auxerre
PSG will look to bounce back from a dispriting defeat when they host Auxerre at the Parc des Princes tomorrow night.
Luis Enrique’s all-conquering side lost a delayed Le Classique meeting with Marseille on Monday night following Sunday’s postponement.
The visitors, missing Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Champions League final hero Desire Doue and midfielder Joao Neves, were surprisingly lacklustre and could not find a way back into the contest after failing behind to Nayaf Aguerd’s early header.
Indeed, Marseille were unfortunate not to add to their lead, Amine Gouiri hitting the bar and Emerson Palmieri seeing a goal ruled out for offside.
“We are not used to losing matches. We played a good game; it was close in the first minutes, but we deserved more,” Luis Enrique added.
“We had three clear opportunities, and it’s a shame that it finished like that because it’s a match that is always important for us.
“A defeat in Le Classique is always difficult, but you have to prepare for the next match in the best possible way.”
It was a mixed night for PSG as a club as their defeat at the Velodrome coincided with Dembele being crowned the best player in the world at a ceremony back in Paris.
Several PSG players were due to attend the gala but Enrique denied it had been a distraction.
“I do not agree. We pressed in a sensational way, in an incredible way,” said the former Barcelona and Spain boss.
“What we can criticise is the number of simple mistakes we have made, too much for this type of game.
“I am not happy with the result, but with the ambition, confidence and DNA of the team, yes. And it is normal to lose games in the competition. We don’t look for excuses.”
Auxerre could face the backlash at the weekend with Christophe Pelissier’s men having lost both away games in Ligue 1 this season – at Nice and Nantes.
They did enjoy a good win last weekend, though, beating Toulouse 1-0 despite having Fredrik Oppegard sent off.
Team News for PSG v Auxerre
Veteran defender Marquinhos will miss the next two games at least after sustaining a thigh injury. Dembele, Doue and Neves remain sidelined but Bradley Barcola could return.
Oppegard misses out through suspension for Auxerre but Josue Casimir returns from a ban.
Predicted line-ups for PSG v Auxerre
PSG: Chevalier; Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Ruiz; Barcola, Ramos, Kvaratskhelia
Auxerre: Leon; Senaya, Siwe, Sierralta, Mensah, Akpa; Sinayoko, Owusu, Danois, Loader; Mara
How to watch PSG v Auxerre: TV and online streams
PSG versus Auxerre kicks-off at 8.05pm UK time tomorrow. You can watch and stream it on Amazon Prime PPV.
Stats for PSG v Auxerre
- Auxerre have not won at the Parc des Princes since a 3-2 victory in 2010
- Auxerre have had three red cards this season already
Prediction for PSG v Auxerre
PSG may be without some of their superstars but should still be too good for Auxerre.
Luis Enrique will hope to establish a commanding early lead and then rest players for the midweek Champions League trip to Barcelona.
Prediction: PSG 3-0 Auxerre
