Overview
PSG started the Champions League last season quite slowly when they only finished 11th in the group stage. However, coach Luis Enrique's team progressed more and more and successively surpassed Monaco, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich before defeating Arsenal in the final.
After drawing 1-1 in 120 minutes at Budapest, PSG needed a penalty shootout to win, thereby successfully defending the championship. They became the second team in the Champions League era to win two consecutive seasons, after Real Madrid in the 2016-2018 period.
PSG also showed ambition to build a long period of dominance by extending the contract with Luis Enrique. However, the reigning European champion is experiencing an unsuccessful start to the new season.
After the victory over Aston Villa to win the UEFA Super Cup, PSG lost to Lens in the French Super Cup. The capital team of France did not win in all 4 domestic matches, thereby only ranked 13th in Ligue 1. In the most recent match, PSG disappointed when they let Monaco come back to win 2-1 right at Parc des Princes.
PSG's opponent, Slovan Bratislava, considers participating in the Champions League group stage already a success. Under the leadership of Yaya Toure, Slovan is aiming for a more successful European journey. The former player who won the Champions League with Barcelona is facing the opportunity to become the first African coach to lead a team in the tournament.
Slovan has gone through their eighth consecutive Champions League qualifiers this summer. They successively defeated Iberia Tbilisi, surprised Swedish champion Mjallby and then overcame Celje in the play-offs.
After a 1-1 draw at home, Slovan needed extra time to defeat Celje. Cristian Martinez scored the decisive goal, helping the Slovakian team avoid the penalty shootout.
Slovan also just won the national championship last season, but is currently only fourth after two consecutive defeats. This is not a very positive sign before the away trip to Paris.
Slovan once went to Parc des Princes, within the Europa League in the 2011-2012 season, and lost 0-1 to PSG.
Personnel situation
PSG has made significant changes in attack before the new season by parting ways with several players and adding Mika Godts, Maghnes Akliouche and Ferran Torres.
These newcomers will have to compete for a position with Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Last season, Kvaratskhelia had 16 direct goals after 16 Champions League matches, the best record of a PSG player in a season in this arena.
On the Slovan Bratislava side, Tigran Barseghyan is considered the most expected attack.
Barseghyan may support experienced striker Andraz Sporar in attack. Roman Cerepkai, one of Slovan's summer rookies, is also another option but is likely to start the match on the bench.
Expected lineup:
PSG: Safonov, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Slovan Bratislava: Takac, Blackman, Bajric, Markovic, Cruz, Ibrahim, Pokorny, Martinez, Barseghyan, Sporar, Camara.
The match between PSG and Slovan Bratislava takes place at 2:00 AM on September 10 (Vietnam time).
