The Champions League round of 16 draw provided fans with a clash of two tournament favourites as defending French champions PSG take on German champions Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes.
The Ligue 1 giants host their old foes in a last-16 first-leg tie, with both teams vying for a place in the quarter-finals in March - and to avoid an embarrassing early exit from the competition.
The hosts boast a squad packed with attacking talent, with Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi both recovering from injuries but expected to feature, while Bayern are banking on the dynamism of Serge Gnabry, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala.
Below are the projected starting lineups for both teams based on the latest news ahead of this Champions League match. These will be updated with confirmed lineups once they are official.
PSG vs Bayern Munich lineups
The big pre-match news for PSG is the return to training of Kylian Mbappe ahead of this clash after missing the 3-1 league defeat to former side AS Monaco last weekend due to a thigh injury. Lionel Messi (hamstring) was also sidelined but returned to training on the eve of the Bayern game and is expected to start.
Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann has no long-term absentees yet, including club captain Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez and Noussair Mazraoui, but is boosted by Thomas Muller passing a late fitness test.
Below are the projected starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at the Parc des Princes on February 14.
PSG starting 11:
PSG starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma (GK) — Hakimi, Kimpembe, Marquinhos, Mendes — Pereira, Verratti — Messi Soler, Neymar — MbappéInjured: Sanches, Mukiele
Suspended: None
Whenever Mbappé is ready to start, PSG's star trio will lead the attack ahead of Verratti, who will anchor the midfield.
If Mbappe remains on the bench to start, the belief is that PSG could resort to a 4-4-2 with Messi and Neymar operating up front.
Veteran Spaniard Sergio Ramos has featured regularly for PSG since the start of 2023, but Galtier could call on Presnel Kimpembe to add pace to his backline.
Bayern Munich starting 11:
Bayern Munich starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Sommer (GK) — Cancelo, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies — Goretzka, Kimmich — Sane, Musiala, Gnabry — Muller
Injured: Neuer, Hernández, Mazraoui, Mane
Suspended: None
Yann Sommer will continue to replace Neuer in goal, with Joao Cancelo arriving on loan in January to freshen up the right side of defence, opposite fellow star Alphonso Davies.
Muller should spearhead the visitors' attack, backed by the pace and guile of Musiala, Gnabry and Leroy Sane.
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