PSG likely XI v Lorient: New-look lineup with Kylian Mbappé and Neymar sidelined

It’s an unrecognisable Paris Saint-Germain starting eleven that will take the field tonight for the league champions’ first game of the season, and Luis Enrique’s maiden match in charge. The holders will be hoping to set aside the constant swirl of transfer sagas for 90 minutes at least, and get a clearer idea of the state of the squad and the Spanish coach’s work this summer.

With established players in Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Marco Verratti now out of the picture as all are pushed towards the exit door, PSG’s summer signings will ostensibly be thrown into the deep end to kick off the campaign. No less than six of the likely eleven will be recent arrivals, including the entire frontline. 

All eyes will be on Gonçalo Ramos, who, barely a week after arriving, now carries the burden of being the focal point of the most demanding side in the league. Flanking the Portuguese international are two signings from La Liga in Marco Asensio and Kang-in Lee.

One of the few constants that will remain from last season is the right-hand side of the defence and midfielder, as captain Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi start behind Warren Zaïre-Emery. The 17-year-old Paris native, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last year, has ostensibly already convinced Luis Enrique to hand him a starting spot from the get-go. 

PSG predicted XI v Lorient:

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Milan Škriniar, Lucas Hernandez – Warren Zaïre-Emery, Manuel Ugarte, Vitinha – Marco Asensio, Gonçalo Ramos, Kang-in Lee.