Overview
Athletic Bilbao have struggled in the Champions League this season, having only won 4 points after 5 matches and dropped to 27th in the rankings.
However, the Basque team is only two points behind the 24th-placed team FC Pafos in the race for a ticket to the play-off round. They are also showing signs of improvement when they have won 4 points in the last 3 matches. Bilbao beat Qarabag at home on 22 October and drew with Slavia Prague after a defeat to Newcastle United.
Inconsistent form has not only occurred in the Champions League but also extended to La Liga, where Ernesto Valverde's team has only 23 points after 16 rounds - seventh, four to eight points behind the top.
However, Athletic Bilbao will enter the next match in high spirits after a 1-0 victory over Atletico Madrid, thanks to a late goal by Alex Berenguer.
The Basque side will end the Champions League group stage with two games against Atalanta BC and Sporting Lisbon in January next year. A victory in this round will help them create a solid foundation before entering two important matches in early 2026.
PSG have not shown perfection in the Champions League this season. In fact, they have conceded 8 goals in 5 matches, including 3 in the 5-3 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the previous match.
Luis Enrique's team also suffered a home defeat against Bayern Munich in early November. However, with 12 points after 5 matches, PSG is still second in the Champions League rankings, three points behind the only team to win all - Arsenal.
Despite being the team with the most goals in this year's tournament with 19 goals, the problem of defense is still a big concern that Enrique needs to solve if he does not want this to become a barrier in the knockout stage.
In the domestic arena, PSG is also not leading Ligue 1. With 33 points after 15 rounds, they are currently in second place, one point behind leaders Lens and just lost to Monaco in their away trip at the end of November.
However, PSG will look forward to this match with a high mood after the 5-0 victory over Rennes. Enrique certainly wants his players to continue their upward momentum by winning all three points.
Personnel situation
Athletic Bilbao will be without Aitor Paredes due to suspension, after the centre-back received a third yellow card in the match against Slavia Prague. Yeray Alvarez is still serving a long-term ban for violating doping regulations, while Robert Navarro, Benat Prados, Unai Egiluz, Maroan Sannadi and Inaki Williams are all absent due to injury.
Aymeric Laporte was also unable to feature due to an injury in last weekend's win over Atletico Madrid. However, Nico Williams will take on an important position in the Basque team's attack.
On the opposite side, PSG lost Lucas Hernandez due to suspension after a red card in the fifth round against Tottenham. Desire Doue and Achraf Hakimi are certainly unable to play due to injury, while Nuno Mendes, Lucas Beraldo and goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier still need to be tested for fitness.
Ousmane Dembele, who has not started a single match in the Champions League this season due to injury, is expected to return to the starting lineup. Bradley Barcola will likely be deployed as a "false 9" for the defending European champions.
Expected lineup:
Athletic Bilbao: Simon, Areso, Vivian, Lekue, Berchiche, Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar, Berenguer, Sancet, N. Williams, Guruzeta.
Paris Saint-Germain: Chevalier, Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Dembele, Barcola, Kvaratskhelia.
The match between Athletic Bilbao and PSG takes place at 3:00 am on December 11 (Vietnam time).
