Predicted PSG XI v Troyes: Hugo Ekitike to start following Lionel Messi suspension

With their lead at the top now cut down to three points, what had previously looked like a relatively tranquil final straight for Paris Saint-Germain has now turned into a series of must-win games. Christophe Galtier’s men face four relegation candidates and Clermont on the final day – under normal circumstances, all straightforward affairs for the champions.

But the latest off-pitch controversy at PSG is set to reverberate on the pitch as well, with Lionel Messi suspended for the next two weeks over an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. With Neymar sidelined until the summer following ankle ligament surgery, that leaves just Kylian Mbappé – in middling form himself – out of the team’s star front three. 

In Messi’s absence, Hugo Ekitike is expected to line up alongside the France captain. The 20-year-old’s first season since joining from Reims has been somewhat disappointing, but he will look to make the increased playing time set to come his way to add to his 3 goals this season.

Achraf Hakimi’s suspension after his red card against Lens, and Nordi Mukiele’s long-term injury, mean Galtier will have to improvise – 17-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery is now set to start as a right wing-back, moving away from his familiar central midfield role. 

PSG likely XI v Troyes:

Gianluigi Donnarumma – Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos, Danilo Pereira – Zaïre-Emery, Fabián Ruiz, Marco Verratti, Vitinha, Juan Bernat – Hugo Ekitike, Kylian Mbappé. (via L’Éq)

GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin