What team will Luis Enrique field against Lille on Friday night? After PSG returned from Rennes with a 2-2 draw, the Parisian line-up was already under scrutiny. That interest has only increased since the announcement that Ousmane Dembélé has been given a rest and will therefore not be available for the trip north.
Luis Enrique will inevitably have to reshape his attack. The match in Rennes already offered several clues about the players who could benefit. Unhappy with the first half, the PSG coach replaced Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia at the break, and the substitutes completely changed the course of the game.
Ferran Torres emerges as the obvious choice
The first name that stands out is Ferran Torres. Introduced at half-time in Rennes, the Spaniard scored both PSG goals and rescued a draw after Paris had fallen 2-0 behind. With Dembélé rested, Torres now looks like the most natural option to start. His versatility allows Luis Enrique to use him centrally or out wide and could also lead to Désiré Doué being repositioned. Mika Godts is another player who could benefit after also making an impact from the bench in Rennes. Kvaratskhelia’s position is less certain: his half-time substitution looked like a warning, although Luis Enrique could still keep him in the XI to preserve some attacking continuity.
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Fabian Ruiz could also force changes in midfield. The Spaniard came off the bench at Rennes and provided two assists, making a strong case for a starting role in Lille. Vitinha and João Neves remain the most likely players to accompany him, with Warren Zaïre-Emery potentially dropping to the bench. Senny Mayulu, left out of the squad against Rennes for sporting reasons, could also return after another week of training.
At the back, Nuno Mendes remains unavailable as he continues serving his three-match suspension. Lucas Hernandez is the obvious option on the left, with Achraf Hakimi expected to start on the right and Marquinhos and Pacho currently leading the race in central defence. The possible XI is: Safonov – Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Hernandez – João Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz – Doué, Ferran Torres, Kvaratskhelia. A more attacking alternative could see Godts replace Kvaratskhelia. One thing is certain: without Dembélé, Luis Enrique will have to change his attack, and after his brace in Rennes, Ferran Torres has a golden opportunity to establish himself immediately in PSG’s starting line-up.
