After securing their place in the top flight last season with a 14th-place finish, Angers will have to continue to fight hard this season to retain their place in Ligue 1. Despite a reduced budget, the Scoïstes found the resources to start their league season with a valuable 1-0 win over Paris FC. Reduced to 10 men shortly before the hour mark, the Maine-et-Loire side managed to preserve their lead to secure their first victory and should therefore arrive at the Parc des Princes with confidence.
For their part, Paris Saint-Germain had a more than successful first week of competition. The Parisians first won their first title of the season in Italy, after a stunning match against Tottenham in the European Super Cup (2-2, 4-3 on penalties). And despite their physical limitations, the capital club's players dug deep to secure their first league win of the season four days later, away to Nantes (0-1).
3 - Angers SCO have won three of their last four league matches: against FC Nantes, Racing Club de Strasbourg and Paris FC.
7 - Angers new signing Hervé Koffi made the most saves in Matchday 1 with seven, at least three more than any other goalkeeper.
10 - Paris Saint-Germain have won each of their last 10 home games against Angers SCO in Ligue 1, its longest current streak against any opponent in the top flight.
71 - Gonçalo Ramos made the most successful presses in the opposition half in Matchday 1 of the Ligue 1 season with 71, including 66 in the final third, at least 16 more than any other player.
Alexandre Dujeux and his team could start against Paris with a 4-5-1 formation. In goal, Burkina Faso international Hervé Koffi will start against the Rouge et Bleu, while Yahia Fofana is set to leave. In central defence, Jordan Lefort will be in the line-up, and he could be joined by Ousmane Camara. The Franco-Malian would then be preferred to young Emmanuel Biumla (20) and the experienced Abdoulaye Bamba (35).
On the defensive flanks, the roles seem clearly defined: Carlens Arcus brings consistency to the right side, while Florent Hanin has a head start over Gabonese international Jacques Ekomié on the opposite side. In midfield, Haris Belkebla has established himself as the leader of the Noir et Blanc, but the Angers captain recently injured his calf and remains uncertain for Friday. The same goes for Himad Abdelli, the Scoïstes' technical leader, who has not yet recovered from his back injury. In any case, Yassin Belkhdim should start, and he could be joined by the tireless Pierrick Capelle (38).
In the absence of Louis Mouton, who was sent off last week and is therefore suspended for this match, the SCO's iconic figure could return to midfield. Unless Marius Courcoul (18), a product of the academy, makes a surprise appearance in the Angers starting eleven. In the wide positions, however, the French coach should have his key players available. Accustomed to playing a notch further back, Lilian Raolisoa has impressed his staff in recent months on the right side of midfield, where he now finds himself in competition with the more attacking Jim Allevinah. On the left flank, it is the promising Sidiki Chérif (18) who seems to be preferred, while Justin Kalumba is expected to rejoin the Noir et Blanc squad.
Finally, in the centre-forward position, Estéban Lepaul is obviously expected to take to the pitch at the Parc des Princes. However, the prolific Angers striker, whom SCO did not want to let go, could ultimately end up in Brittany with Stade Rennais FC. If his absence against the capital club is confirmed, Sidiki Chérif could take his place in the centre and free up a spot on the left wing. Young strikers Lanroy Machine (19) and Prosper Peter (18) are expected to start the match on the bench, but could make an appearance during the game.
