PSG predicted XI v Montpellier: Kylian Mbappé to once again drop to the bench?

Kylian Mbappé starting on the bench has become a regular sight in recent weeks, and L’Équipe understands that the France captain will once again miss out on a place in Luís Enrique’s starting XI when Paris Saint-Germain travel to face Montpellier HSC on Sunday evening. 

Ever since Mbappé informed PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi of his impending departure, the Frenchman has seen his game time in Ligue 1 limited. The Spanish head coach, who is spearheading a “medium to long-term project” at the club believes that PSG “have to learn to play without Mbappé sooner or later”. With the Ligue 1 title all but sealed, with challengers dropping by the wayside, the remaining matches are being used to experiment and also to create a base going forward into next season. 

Bradley Barcola could be Mbappé’s long-term successor at PSG and he is expected to start alongside Randal Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembélé up front. Gonçalo Ramos will have to settle for a place on the bench. Presnel Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Milan Skriniar and Marco Asensio are all absent for the trip to face Les Héraults.

PSG likely lineup v Montpellier

Gianluigi Donnarumma; Nuno Mendes, Lucas Hernandez, Danilo Pereira, Achraf Hakimi; Fabián Ruiz, Manuel Ugarte, Warren Zaïre-Emery; Bradley Barcola, Randal Kolo Muani, Ousmane Dembélé. (L’Éq)

GFFN | Luke Entwistle